The brain is comprised of billions of neurons. Neurons are constantly sending electrical signals out to other neurons and to other parts of the body. Seizures occur when the neurons within the brain emit uncontrolled bursts of electrical signals. This chaotic behaviour disrupts normal brain function and can cause an array of symptoms.
A seizure disorder is a condition in which a person has more than one unprovoked seizure. An unprovoked seizure is a seizure that has no precipitating cause. The most well-known seizure disorder is epilepsy.
The symptoms of a seizure vary depending on what type of seizure it is and where in the brain the seizure occurs. The symptoms of a seizure can include, but are not limited to, the following:
One should seek help immediately if a seizure lasts longer than five minutes or if a seizure is immediately followed by a second seizure.
For many of those suffering from a seizure disorder, the cause for their seizures remains unknown. For others, their seizure disorder may be caused by one of the following:
Anyone can develop a seizure disorder regardless of age, sex, race, and ethnicity. However, there are a few risk factors that increase one’s likelihood of developing a seizure disorder. These risk factors are as follows:
Seizure disorders typically manifest in early childhood or older age (over the age of 65).
Having a family member with a seizure disorder increases one’s own likelihood of having one.
Brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, head trauma, stroke, drug use, alcohol abuse, or infection can trigger a seizure disorder in some individuals.
To diagnose a seizure disorder, a doctor (typically a neurologist) must go through multiple steps. First, they will carefully review the patient’s medical history and medications. Next, the doctor will talk with the patient about what they felt before, during, and after their seizure. If possible, the doctor will interview anyone who witnessed the patient’s seizure. Finally, the doctor will conduct a battery of tests, such as the following:
The treatment options for seizure disorders include the following:
Seizure disorders are treated by medicines called anticonvulsants, or antiepileptics. Examples include sodium valproate, carbamazepine, and lamotrigine. These medicines work to reduce the electrical activity in the brain, thus reducing the likelihood of having seizures.
If medication does not stop or mitigate one’s seizures, surgery may be considered as a treatment option. Surgery is only applicable for those whose seizures occur in a small part of the brain that can be removed without causing serious side effects.
If medication does not work and surgery is not an option, one may consider VNS. For VNS, a small electrical device is placed under the skin near the collarbone. A wire from the device is then connected to the vagus nerve. Approximately every five minutes, the device sends electrical impulses to the brain via the vagus nerve. VNS helps mitigate the frequency and severity of seizures.
Doctors may recommend a ketogenic diet for children suffering from seizures. A ketogenic diet is low in carbohydrates and proteins but high in fats. It is thought that this type of diet changes the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, thus reducing the number of seizures.
The following methods can reduce one’s risk of developing a seizure disorder:
It should be noted that new-borns are susceptible to brain damage during pregnancy and birth. Mothers can prevent their new-borns from developing seizure disorders by staying healthy during their pregnancies and seeking perinatal care before childbirth.