Epilepsy [Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment]

In case looking for the best possible treatment of epilepsy for you or your loved one, then you are at the right spot.

epilepsy treatment in patna

We are delighted to inform you that Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh is ranked among one of the top doctors for epilepsy.

To gain more insights on him and epilepsy, read this post to the last.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a set of related central nervous system disorders that causes unprovoked, recurrent epileptic seizures over time. These epileptic seizures have no immediate underlying cause and can vary from flying and undetectable periods to long periods of vigorous shaking.

The term epilepsy was derived from the Latin word ‘Epilepsia’. Epilepsy pronunciation can be deduced as ‘eh – puh – lep – see’.

Often referred to as seizure disorders, epilepsy is globally one of the most common neurological diseases that affect 65 million people (of all ages) around the world.

Analyzing Epilepsy and Seizures

Certain unusual electrical activities in the brain cause abnormal movements or sudden alteration of behavior called seizures. However, seizures are a symptom of this mental disorder. However, not all people who face seizures are suffering from this mental disorder.

Epileptic seizures have a tendency to recur and lead to physical injuries, including broken bones at times.

Pathophysiology of Epilepsy

A shift in the balance among the inhibitory and the excitatory neurotransmission that is usually in the favor of the latter is seen as the Pathophysiology of epilepsy. 

Besides, you can learn more about this neurological disorder and the Pathophysiology of epilepsy in epilepsy – Wikipedia. 

What are the Different Types of Epilepsy?

The classification or types of epilepsy is based on the seizures that you are having. However, according to that experts have divided epilepsy into four types:

Generalized Epilepsy 

In generalized epilepsy, seizures begin affecting the network of the brain cells on both sides of your brain. Here the seizures can also be further classified as:

Generalized Motor Seizures 

Known as ‘grand mal’ seizures, they dramatically cause your body to move uncontrollably. Examples include-

  • Tonic-clonic
  • Tonic
  • Clonic
  • Atonic &
  • Myoclonic

Generalized Absence or Non-Motor Seizures 

These types of seizures are also called ‘petit mal’ seizures. During this, you may stop doing what you were indulged in and just stare into space or you may perform the same movements like smacking your lips, over and over. The types or examples include-

  • Typical
  • Atypical &
  • Myoclonic

Focal Epilepsy

The Focal epilepsy is characterized by ‘partial seizures’, the seizures that develop in a particular area or network of brain cells on one side of the brain. Focal epilepsy seizures can also be further classified as:

Focal Aware Seizures

It is an ‘aware’ seizure if you are fully aware of what is happening during the seizure. People also refer to these as., ‘simple partial seizures’

Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures 

If you get puzzled or do not know what is occurring during the seizure, it is an impaired awareness seizure or ‘complex partial seizure’.

Focal Motor Seizures

Here you will be able to move to some extent, say from spasms to twitching, to rubbing hands, to walking around.

Focal Non-Motor Seizures

This unique type of seizures cause changes in how you think or feel. You may encounter waves of heat or cold, goose-bumps, strange feelings, a racing heart, or intense emotions.

Generalized and Focal Epilepsy

This type of epilepsy arises when people face both generalized and focal seizures.

Unknown If Generalized or Focal Epilepsy

Sometimes it becomes difficult for the doctors to know whether the seizures are generalized or focal because of your unclear test results.

This may happen when you were alone at the time of the seizure. So no one can recount what happened.

What are the Symptoms of Epilepsy?

Since seizures characterize epilepsy, the symptoms of epilepsy can alternatively be worked out from the above-given types of seizures and what they denote. Unfortunately, it is not that simple to recognize a seizure and it is especially difficult in the case of babies and infants. Besides, some seizure signs and symptoms may involve:

  • A staring spell
  • Temporary confusion
  • Losing consciousness or awareness
  • Out of control jerking movements of the arms and legs
  • Further, Symptoms that are psychic such as anxiety, fear, or déjà vu.

How Epilepsy Diagnosis is Done? 

The diagnosis of epilepsy requires patience. To diagnose this disorder, one would need at least two unprovoked seizures. However, doctors usually run the following tests for an accurate epilepsy diagnosis: 

  • Electroencephalogram (EEG): The doctor places sensors on your scalp to record electrical activities in your brain. It is a symptom if you have abnormal changes in your normal brain wave pattern.
  • Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan: Doctors create images of your brain to rule out bleeding, tumors, or cysts by using X-rays.
  • Blood Tests: They help in inferring other reasons like infections or genetic conditions for seizures.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): It gives the structure of your brain with the MRI scanner machine to detect damaged tissue that leads to seizures.
  • Functional MRI (fMRI): It shows the parts of your brain that use more oxygen while moving, speaking, or performing tasks.
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS): It creates an image to help the doctors compare different parts of your brain.
  • Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan): It checks for damage by viewing which parts of your brain use more or less glucose.
  • Single-Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT): It helps to figure out the part of your brain where seizures start.
  • Neuropsychological Tests: These are to see if seizures have affected your speech, thinking, and memory skills.

What is the Treatment of Epilepsy?

Most people can make their way out of this neurological issue. Nonetheless, the treatment of this neurological disorder is basically based on the seriousness of symptoms, your health and how is your response to therapy.

  • Anti-epileptic (anticonvulsant/anti-seizure) Drugs: These prescribed medications are for reducing the number of seizures have. In some cases, they eliminate seizures.
  • Vagus Nerve Stimulator: It is a device one can place beneath his/her skin on the chest. It stimulates the nerves through your neck electrically to prevent seizures.
  • Ketogenic Diet: It is a high fat low carbohydrate diet that is for people who do not respond to medications.
  • Brain Surgery: It is to remove or alter the part of the brain that causes seizures. It includes Respective and Disconnective surgery.

What is Epilepsy Medication?

Anti-epileptic medications are the first-line treatment for this common neurological disorder. These drugs help in reducing the intensity and frequency of seizures. Doctors may prescribe a combination or just a single of the following drugs on the basis of your seizures:

  • Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
  • Levetiracetam (Keppra)
  • Topiramate (Topamax)
  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
  • Ethosuximide (Zarontin)
  • Valproic Acid (Depakote)

You can take these medications once or twice a day… These are available in liquid, tablet, and injectable forms.

Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh – The Best Epilepsy Doctor in Patna, Bihar

Epilepsy is a group of chronic neurological conditions and thus should be assessed by a professional doctor like Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh.

He is one of the best epilepsy doctors in Patna. He makes sure that the treatment procedures are without any complications and thus he has gained a very high patient satisfaction score.

Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh pursued his MBBS from a top-ranked government college and further did his post-graduation from Patna. Further, he also had the privilege of working as a neuropsychiatrist at AIIMS and PMCH hospital, Patna.

So, immediately book an appointment with Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh if searching for the best possible treatment for epilepsy.

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