Seizing Control

Knowing the ins-and-outs of epilepsy and seizure prevention is the key to easing the minds and fears most people have. The brain is powered by billions of neurons that communicate through  electrical signals that help us think, move, speak, remember, and more. In a healthy brain, the electrical activity is balanced, but during a seizure there is a burst of abnormal electrical activity, disrupting the function. This abnormal electrical burst can affect behavior, emotions, memory, awareness, and so much more (sadly). The symptoms of the disruption depend on the part of the brain in which the seizure occurs. Most people think if one seizure occurs, it must be from epilepsy. Quite the opposite! Seizures occur for many reasons. If a seizure is provoked it can be from head injury, sleep deprivation (been there, done that), reaction to a drug, low blood sugar OR blood sugar spike, severe infection, alcohol withdrawal, high fever, and other triggers. To formally diagnose epilepsy, however, a person must have two or more recurrent unprovoked seizures. The diagnosis of epilepsy involves the use of an EEG (records brain electrical activity), an MRI , blood tests, and medical history. Once diagnosed with epilepsy it is important to take action to prevent seizures to avoid any negative effects it can cause to the brain. Typically, a short / small seizure does not cause brain damage. However, if the seizure is long (especially more than five minutes) and repeated, over time it may affect brain function such as learning difficulties, memory problems, having trouble concentrating, etc. So why does someone get epilepsy anyway? Many causes are idiopathic (unknown cause) but the most common causes that have been identified are from plain ole genetics. Sometimes, epilepsy is in a person’s genes (the unlucky ones) , other reasons are from traumatic brain injuries such as falls, accidents, sports injuries, and anything that can scar brain tissue. The most common cause of epilepsy in older adults is stroke. This causes epilepsy due to the damage it causes to brain tissue. Brain infections such as meningitis and encephalitis cause inflammation to the brain and can cause seizures as well. Developmental conditions and brain tumors can also cause seizures and epilepsy. Children may develop epilepsy for different reasons than adults. Some of those reasons include: birth injuries, genetic conditions, developmental disorders, high fever (febrile), and unknown causes, unfortunately. One of the most common causes for seizures among children 6 months – 5 years old is high fever. If a child has a seizure from a fever, it is known as a febrile seizure. These seizures are divided into Simple febrile seizures, and Complex febrile seizures depending on the symptoms. Only a small percentage of children that have febrile seizures will develop epilepsy. An extremely rare condition related to febrile seizures is called FIRES. ( Febrile Infection Related Epilepsy Syndrome). Typically, FIRES only affects previously healthy children after they suffer from a high fever due to a cold or flu. Days after the fever kicks in, seizures begin and are difficult to control. Another form of FIRES is a condition called NORSE (New-Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus). This involves repeated seizures without a break between them (aka status epilepticus), and drug resistance. Although extremely rare, FIRES and NORSE identify the importance of fever control and the immune system.  Understanding the difference between seizures and epilepsy is essential for peace of mind. The brain is a very complex organ and while seizures disrupt its function, research is continually advancing, helping doctors treat epilepsy more effectively than ever before.