Epilepsy
Epileptic seizures are commonly traced to brain injury or family history. About 0.5% to 2% of the population is likely to suffer an epileptic seizure at some point in time. When the delicate balance of electrical activity in the brain is disturbed, a person suffers seizures. When there are more than a couple of episodes of seizures, it is a condition of epilepsy. In a typical epileptic seizure, the neuronal activity is hampered bringing on convulsions, muscle spasms and possible loss of consciousness. Each person has a different threshold of resistance to seizures. Inherited condition of neurological disorder can lead to electrical instability causing epileptic seizures. Those dependent on alcohol or drugs may experience seizures during withdrawal. Rarely is a brain tumor the cause of epilepsy. Brain injury is a possible cause of epilepsy. This can be due to a birth defect or head injury or infection such as meningitis. Sometimes a person may experience idiopathic epilepsy where there is no clear cause for the seizures.
Diagnosis of epilepsy can be made with investigative tests such as EEG, CT scan or MRI scan. Anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs) can control the seizures though there is no cure. These medications help the patient in leading a better quality of life. AEDs are prescribed after studying the person's nature of seizures, general health, age and gender. These medications must be taken in prescribed doses to maintain desired level in the body to prevent further seizures. When some possible triggers have been identified for epileptic seizures, the patient must try and avoid them. These triggers could range from emotional disturbance to lack of sleep. The vagus nerve stimulator(VNS) has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of epilepsy. The VNS is surgically implanted into the chest, near the collarbone. It is a small device, much like a pacemaker that sends weak electrical impulses to the brain through the vagus nerve. These electrical signals are helpful in preventing sudden electrical bursts in the brain that trigger off an epileptic attack.
Seizures
Seizures are conditions when there is abnormal functioning of the brain leading to uncontrollable muscle spasms, altered levels of consciousness and behavior. This is usually traced to abnormal electrical discharge within the brain. Seizures may be localized or affect the whole body.
Seizures are classified into 3 based on the severity of attack and response:
- Grand Mal - In this type of seizure, the whole body is racked with convulsions. There can be lack of consciousness or coma
- Petit Mal - Only a part of the body is affected by this seizure
- Absense - A type of seizure where the affected person is in a stupor and cannot be roused.
Seizures can occur due to poisoning, drug overdose, head injury or medical conditions such as hypoglycemia or neurological abnormality. Fever, brain tumor or other vascular problems can also trigger a seizure. If the brain experiences a sudden lack of oxygen, it can lead to a seizure. Febrile seizures are usually noticed when an infant or small child has high fever, greater than 102 degrees F. The child loses consciousness and experiences uncontrolled shaking of the body. Typically this seizure lasts for a minute or two. Seizures of this kind are not to be mistaken for epilepsy. Though they can be terrifying, febrile seizure attacks must be tackled with care. Place the child on the ground or safe place. Do not restrain movements and wait for the seizure to subside. Do not attempt to feed the child immediately after a febrile seizure. Most seizures are self-limiting. What is essential is to ensure that the person does not get injured during a seizure. Seek seizure first aid. Call a doctor at once if you notice labored breathing or bluish pallor. Epilepsy is a medical condition that is characterized by marked pattern of chronic seizures. Various tests such as spinal tap, heat CT scan or MRI and EEG (Electroencephalogram) can help in identifying the cause for the seizures.
Fever Control
The normal body temperature is around 98.2 to 98.8 F. A person is said to be suffering from fever when the body temperature rises to 100.0 F by mouth or 100.8 F rectum. Body temperature is at its lowest early in the morning. Women notice an increase of about 0.9 F (0.6 C) in body temperature during ovulation. Exercise and physical activity in hot weather can also raise body temperature. Fever is usually the body's reaction to an infection, be it urinary infection, viral infection or pneumonia. It is an indication that your body is fighting and working for you. But fever can also be indicative of a serious illness, especially in adults. Infants and children may develop fever as a reaction to vaccinations or immunization shots.
Elevated body temperature (fever) brings along with it overall physical discomfort such as body ache, shivering, headache and reduced appetite. Fever must not be allowed to rise more than 103 degree F or greater as it causes dehydration. Besides sudden rise in body temperature can bring on febrile seizures. This is especially so in the case of infants and small children. Febrile Seizures or convulsions tend to appear in the first 24 hours of fever. It is a reactive activity by the body till it adjusts to sudden rise in temperature.
- Antipyretics like Paracetamol may be given. Adult dosage: 500 mg twice/thrice a day depending upon the fever
- Ensure that the patient is given enough fluids and water
- Good rest is essential
- Do not use Aspirin to bring down fever
- Keep the patient comfortably dressed
- Give your feverish child something to do to feel better, like read or draw or watch TV
- Use of cold compress can bring down fever
Bibliography / Reference
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