Epilepsy Surgery

Every year, near about 5 million people are diagnosed with epilepsy, across the globe, and at present, there are more than 50 million people living with it. It is a neurological disorder marked by repeated seizures, loss of awareness, and change in behavior, all triggered by a disturbance in brain activity. Epilepsy is non-communicable and can affect anyone, including small children. With the right treatment and care, epilepsy can be effectively managed with the right treatment and care.

Types of seizures experienced by patients with Epilepsy.
A person suffering from Epilepsy is likely to experience any of the following two types of seizures. 

• Generalized seizures -  These involve the whole brain and are the result of some abnormality in the electrical activity of the brain. These are further classified into several different types, which include absence seizures, tonic seizures, atonic seizures, clonic seizures, myoclonic seizures, and tonic-clonic seizures. 
• Focal seizures - These originate from a specific part of the brain and can spread to other areas, giving rise to more severe symptoms gradually. Focal seizures can lead to dizziness, tingling sensation, and twitching of arms and legs. 

What causes Epilepsy?
The underlying cause of Epilepsy cannot always be pinpointed, however, there are several factors that have been linked to it. These include:

• Severe brain injury or Trauma
• Having a very high fever
• Stroke, or disrupted blood supply to the brain
• Cyst or Tumour in the brain
• Having pre-existing neurological problems like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
• Congenital brain deformity
• Prenatal trauma 
• Prenatal exposure to certain medication
• Underlying infections like AIDS and meningitis 

Factors that trigger Epileptic seizures
There are various factors that can trigger seizures in a patient with Epilepsy. Here are some of them:

• Sleeplessness 
• Severe or chronic illness 
• Excessive stress
• Exposure to bright lights and patterns
• Consuming caffeine, alcohol, and certain medicines
• Substance abuse
• Low blood sugar
• Severe brain injury 

Symptoms that suggest you might have Epilepsy

Symptoms that could be an indication of Epilepsy include:

• Staring spell
• Muscle stiffness
• Involuntary jerking of limbs
• Unconsciousness 
• Psychological symptoms 
• Lack of concentration 

When should you consider seeing a doctor?
You should see a doctor as soon as you start experiencing the symptoms. These do not necessarily mean that you have epilepsy and any conclusion can be reached only after thorough evaluation and assessment.