Epilepsy

Epilepsy Care – Understanding Seizures and Long-Term Management

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that is known to affect the brain and cause seizures. The disorder can affect people of any age and can be of different levels of severity. Thanks to medical treatment and care, people affected by epilepsy are able to lead full and active lives. Here at MedyPharma, we provide wide-ranging information that is easy to understand about the disorder and how it can be treated.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is defined as a chronic disorder involving an unprovoked and recurrent seizure due to abnormal electrical activity.

Common Types of Epilepsy

Focal Epile

Seizure activity begins in one area of the brain. Awareness is affected to some extent.

Generalized Epile

Seizures affect both sides of the brain and consist of either tonic-clonic or absence seizures.

Epilepsy Symptoms and Seizure Signs

Epilepsy symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure, such as:

• Temporary confusion, staring spells
• Uncontrolled jerking movements
• Loss of consciousness or awareness 
• Sudden fear, anxiety, or unusual sensations 

Early recognition can help control seizures for the patient.

Managing Epilepsy Effectively

The management of epilepsy typically consists of anti-epileptic drugs, lifestyle adjustments, addressing psychosocial aspects of the disorder, and regular follow-up appointments with one’s physician. Many individuals find a successful seizure treatment program will result in good control over their seizures.

The goal of MedyPharma’s education initiative is to provide people living with epilepsy the information they need to make informed decisions about managing their epilepsy and achieving optimal brain health over their lifetime.

FAQs

1. What causes epilepsy?

The cause of epilepsy can be due to genetic factors, a brain injury, some infections, a stroke, or the cause of the seizures is unknown.

2. Can epilepsy be cured?

There is currently no available cure for epilepsy, but with proper treatment, seizures can often be managed very effectively:

3. What are some common seizure triggers?

Some common triggers of seizures include lack of sufficient sleep, stress, exposure to bright flashing lights, illness, and missing doses of medication.

4. Is epilepsy a lifelong condition?

Many individuals will have epilepsy lifelong; however, for a proportion of those with epilepsy, the likelihood of outgrowing their seizures or being seizure-free is also a possibility.

5. Can I be normal if I have epilepsy?

With proper treatment and care, most individuals with epilepsy can lead normal, active lives.