Define Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system (neurological) in which aberrant brain activity results in seizures or episodes of odd behavior, sensations, and even loss of consciousness.
Define Seizure
A seizure is an abrupt, uncontrolled electrical disruption in the brain. Changes in behavior, movement, and consciousness can occur as a result.
How Epilepsy Effects Your Heart?
Here are facts that depicts how epilepsy effects your heart. Seizures can lead to a heartbeat that is either too slow or too fast, or that is erratically beating. As a result, the heartbeat becomes irregular. Some experts feel that irregular heartbeats are to blame for some incidences of sudden unexpected death in Epilepsy.
It has been found that among individuals with chronic epilepsy, sudden heart death is three times more common than the general population, and in 66% of instances, the heart attack happened while the patient was engaged in normal everyday activities. To differentiate a largely cardiac cause of death in epileptic patients from the previous definition of SUDEP, we suggest the notion of the Epileptic Heart as a heart and coronary vasculature compromised by chronic epilepsy as a consequence of frequent surges in hypoxemia and catecholamines leading to electrical and mechanical malfunction. This review begins with a discussion of the pathophysiology and other lines of evidence supporting the biological plausibility of the Epileptic Heart. This is followed by a discussion of the tools that have been used to produce new electrocardiogram (EKG)-derived data in patients with epilepsy that completely support the Epileptic Heart theory and its tendency to induce sudden heart death in individuals with epilepsy irrespective of an immediately prior seizure.
Epilepsy can be caused by abnormalities in the brain’s blood vessels. Oxygen-rich blood is essential for the brain’s healthy functioning. Seizures can be triggered by damage to the blood arteries of the brain, like that caused by a stroke or haemorrhage.
Symptoms
If you have epilepsy, you may experience seizures that interfere with your ability to perform whatever task your brain has coordinated. Symptoms of a seizure are including:
- Confusion for a short period of time.
- Inflexible bones and joints.
- Arm and leg jerking movements are uncontrollable.
- A staring spell.
- Consciousness or awareness has been lost.
- Symptoms such as fear, anxiety, or deja vu.
Seizures have a wide range of symptoms. A person with epilepsy is likely to have the same type of seizure every time, so their symptoms will be consistent.
Precautions
Many aspects of your life may be affected by epilepsy. Seizures can strike at any time, so simple tasks like crossing a busy street become risky. These issues can lead to the loss of one’s ability to care for oneself.
In addition to seeing your doctor routinely and according to your treatment plan, you can take these precautions to cope with your health:
- If you have a history of seizures, keep a seizure record to identify likely triggers.
- Severe depression and anxiety should be treated by a medical practitioner.
- A medical alert bracelet lets others know that you suffer from epilepsy so that you can receive the proper treatment in the event of an epileptic seizure that leaves you unable to communicate.
- Share your knowledge of seizures with the people closest to you so they know what to do if you experience one or are at danger of having one.
- Eating a well-balanced diet and exercising regularly are two ways to improve one’s health.
- Exercising may help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your risk of developing depression. Drink plenty of water and take a break if you become fatigued while exercising.
- Seizures can be triggered by a lack of sleep. Ensure that you receive a good night’s sleep each night.
Treatment
Epilepsy medication is typically the first line of treatment for doctors. Surgeons or other types of treatment may be recommended if drugs fail to alleviate symptoms.
Medication
Anti-seizure medicine is the initial line of treatment for epilepsy. These medications are meant to help lessen the occurrence and intensity of seizures. As a result, they can’t halt an ongoing seizure, and they can’t be used to treat epilepsy.
The stomach is responsible for the absorption of these drugs. After that, your blood carries them to your brain, where they do their work. There is a reduction in electrical activity that leads to seizures as a result of their effect on neurotransmitters.
There are numerous anti-seizure medications available. Depending on the type of seizure you have, your doctor may prescribe a single drug or a combination of drugs. Buy these prescription medicines and heart medication online if you have a proper prescription from a doctor.
Epilepsy medications commonly prescribed include:
- topiramate (Topamax)
- carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- valproic acid (Depakote)
- levetiracetam (Keppra)
- lamotrigine (Lamictal)
- ethosuximide (Zarontin)
Once or twice a day, these drugs can be given in tablet, liquid or injectable form. To begin with, your doctor will prescribe the lowest amount feasible, which can be increased as needed until the medication takes effect. Taking these medications regularly and according to the directions on the label is critical.
The following are some possible adverse effects:
- fatigue
- dizziness
- a rash on the skin
- coordination is lacking
- difficulties with your memory
- In rare but significant cases, depression and liver or other organ inflammation can occur.
In most situations, antiseizure medicine has a positive effect on patients with epilepsy. Some epileptic youngsters never longer experience seizures and no longer require medication.
Surgery
When drugs fail to manage seizures effectively, surgery may be an alternative. The part of your brain that’s producing your seizures will be removed during epilepsy surgery.
An operation is frequently recommended by a doctor if tests reveal that there is a specific part of your brain that is responsible for causing your seizures. The region of your brain that will be operated on does not interfere with essential activities like speaking, communication, motor function, vision, or hearing.
MRI-guided stereotactic laser ablation may be a viable therapy option for some kinds of epilepsy when an open operation is too dangerous. As a result of these treatments, doctors use a thermal laser probe to target and destroy tissue in the brain that is producing seizures.
After a successful operation, many people still need to take medicine to prevent seizures, although the dosages may be reduced and the number of medications you take may be decreased.
In a small percentage of cases, epilepsy surgery might have unintended side effects, such as affecting your thinking abilities permanently. Consult your surgeon about the procedure you’re thinking about having done and learn as much as you can about the surgeon’s experience, success rates, and complications.
Therapy
You can take these therapies apart from surgery and medications for treating epilepsy.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
A vagus nerve stimulator, which is comparable to a heart pacemaker, is implanted under the skin of the chest during vagus nerve stimulation. The stimulator’s wires are attached to your neck’s vagus nerve.
Your brain receives bursts of electrical energy from the battery-powered device. The device’s mechanism of action is unclear, although it has been shown to lessen seizures by 20-40% in most patients.
Even though some people may be able to reduce the dosage of their anti-epileptic medication, the vast majority of people will still need to take it. You may have throat soreness, hoarse voice, breathlessness, or coughing as a result of vagus nerve stimulation.
Deep Brain Stimulation
An electrode can be implanted into a specific section of your brain, such as thalamus, to provide deep brain stimulation. You have a generator implanted in your chest that is connected to the electrodes. A seizure generator provides timed electrical pulses to your brain on a regular basis. People with epilepsy who are not responding to medicine may benefit from deep brain stimulation.
