Symptoms and Prevention Of Seizures

1. Symptoms and Prevention Of Seizures The human brain works on electrical impulses which at times cause sudden and unexpected changes in an individual’s physical or behavioral pattern. These sudden changes are clinically termed, seizures. These changes can be triggered or precipitated by either injury and/or other physiological factors. They could also be a result of abnormalities of sodium or glucose levels in the blood stream; a fallout of brain infections such as meningitis. Seizures can also occur due to epilepsy; tumors of the brain; congenital brain defects amongst other factors. There exists a distinct possibility that seizures are a consequence of excessive usage of drugs, alcohol withdrawal post excessive drinking, painkillers/sleeping pills. In certain cases, it is may not be readily possible to ascertain the immediate cause for the seizures. Such instances are termed as, termed idiopathic seizures, common amongst children and teenagers. Seizures are often accompanied by prominent physical symptoms but at times seizures can occur without any palpable symptoms. In some cases, patients do experience pre-seizure symptoms. These include a sudden feeling of anxiety or fear; a bound of nausea, vertigo or dizziness. One of the common pre-seizure sign is blurring of vision Following the pre-seizure symptoms, the onset of seizure is evidenced by - blackout and confusion; teeth clenching; muscle spasms; frothing at the mouth; rapid eye movements; loss of bladder and bowel control; and excessive grunting. Seizures can be typically two types – one which are caused by epilepsy and the others which are non-epileptic ones. Non-epileptic seizures can be due to an injury or trauma. A sudden injury or blow to the head can cause a person to slip into a seizure. Once the underlying factors are treated such seizures usually go away. Epilepsy is meanwhile defined as a condition caused by repeated seizures. Seizures that are caused only one side of the brain, effecting only one part of the body, are termed as partial seizures. And the condition is also known as temporal lobe seizures. When epileptic seizures are caused by both sides of the brain they are known as generalized seizures. Affecting both sides of the body these are also known as grand mal or tonic-clonic seizures. The onset of seizures requires immediate medical attention as non-intervention causes the seizures to worsen in terms of symptoms and duration with every subsequent attack. Prolonged seizures can possibly lead to coma and even fatality. benzodiazepines withdrawal and/or

2. Although, no specific factors can help prevention of seizures resulting from injury, one can always look to maintain a healthy lifestyle, proper sleep and rest cycle and regular exercise to keep seizures away.