All About Epilepsy part 4

 Seizures most commonly occur in the temporal lobe, making the temporal lobe the most common area of the brain for surgery. This surgery  first involves a craniotomy, then a temporal lobectomy  (resection/removal). Due to the different functions of each temporal lobe, the outcomes from surgery vary. With the left lobe being crucial for language comprehension and processing auditory information, brain surgery on the left lobe can lead to deficits in verbal memory and language as well as possible depression.The right lobe controls non-verbal memory such as facial recognition,spatial awareness and navigation (getting lost is a common side effect if damaged). Unlike the left lobe, if surgery is performed on the right temporal lobe a common side effect may be happiness after surgery. Another more serious side effect of a right temporal lobectomy is hemianopsia,  left eye vision loss. The vision loss in the left eye is typically in the upper right field of vision. This blindness is due to damage to the Meyer’s loop.Fibers from this loop go through the temporal lobe so when surgery is performed, it messes with these fibers, causing blindness in the visual field. It is important to get seizures under control to lower any risk of SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy). It is still unknown what causes SUDEP but it most often occurs at night, possibly after a seizure.Breathing, heart rhythm, and brain function that occur with seizures are thought to be the leading cause. Surgery, neurostimulation, and positive lifestyle adjustments are the best way to prevent it or reduce your risk. Epilepsy may seem like it’s all doom and gloom, but joining your community and supporting others with epilepsy can transform fear into purpose and challenges into shared victories. If you’re interested in supporting the epilepsy community, Purple Day—represented by the color purple as a symbol of epilepsy awareness—is observed on March 26, and Epilepsy Awareness Month takes place each November. With the power of awareness, we can create a more informed world for those living with epilepsy.