Anti Convulsant

<h2 dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333333;"><strong>Anti- Convulsant</strong></span></h2> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333333;"><strong>What is Epilepsy</strong></span></h3> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Epilepsy is a chronic disorder that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. A seizure is a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain. There are two main types of seizures. Generalized seizures affect the whole brain. Focal, or partial seizures, affect just one part of the brain. A mild seizure may be difficult to recognize. It can last a few seconds during which you lack awareness. Stronger seizures can cause spasms and uncontrollable muscle twitches and can last a few seconds to several minutes. During a stronger seizure, some people become confused or lose consciousness. Afterward, you may have no memory of it happening.</span></p> <h3 dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Epilepsy Vs Seizures</strong></span></h3> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Seizures are the only symptom of epilepsy. Epilepsy is defined as having "two or more unprovoked seizures," according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Some people have a single seizure or seizures that are not linked to epilepsy. According to the United Kingdom's Epilepsy Society, nonepileptic seizures are not due to electrical activity in the brain. The causes can be physical, emotional, or psychological.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">There are also different types of seizures. Seizures may vary between people with epilepsy, so in two individuals, the condition may look different. For this reason, it can be called a spectrum disorder.</span></p> <h3 dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333333;"><strong>Causes Of Epilepsy</strong></span></h3> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">For 6 out of 10 people with epilepsy, the cause can’t be determined. A variety of things can lead to seizures.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Possible causes include:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">traumatic brain injury</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">scarring on the brain after a brain injury (post-traumatic epilepsy)</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">serious illness or very high fever</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">stroke, which is a leading cause of epilepsy in people over age 35</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">other vascular diseases</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">lack of oxygen to the brain</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">brain tumor or cyst</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">dementia or Alzheimer’s disease</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">maternal drug use, prenatal injury, brain malformation, or lack of oxygen at birth</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">infectious diseases such as AIDS and meningitis</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">genetic or developmental disorders or neurological diseases</span></p> </li> </ul> <h3 dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Signs Of Epilepsy</strong></span></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Seizures are the main symptom of epilepsy. Symptoms differ from person to person and according to the type of seizure.</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">a convulsion with no temperature (no fever)</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">short spells of a blackout, or confused memory</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">intermittent fainting spells, during which bowel or bladder control is lost, which is frequently followed by extreme tiredness</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">for a short period, the person is unresponsive to instructions or questions</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">the person becomes stiff, suddenly, for no apparent reason</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">the person suddenly falls for no clear reason</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">sudden bouts of blinking without apparent stimuli</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">sudden bouts of chewing, without any apparent reason</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">for a short time, the person seems dazed and unable to communicate</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">repetitive movements that seem inappropriate</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">the person becomes fearful for no apparent reason; they may even panic or become angry</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">peculiar changes in senses, such as smell, touch, and sound</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">the arms, legs, or body jerk, in babies these will appear as a cluster of rapid jerking movements</span></p> </li> </ul> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333333;"><strong>Adverse Effects On Body</strong></span></h3> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The impact on these areas of life will depend largely on the frequency and severity of seizures. Epilepsy can affect various aspects of a person's life, including:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">emotions and behavior</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">social development and interaction</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">ability to study and work</span></p> </li> </ul> <h3 dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Prevention Of Epilepsy</strong></span></h3> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Here are some tips that may help reduce your risk of having an epilepsy seizure:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Get plenty of sleep each night — set a regular sleep schedule, and stick to it.</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Learn stress management and relaxation techniques.</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Avoid drugs and alcohol.</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Take all of your medications as prescribed by your doctor. Buy prescription drugs online only from a reputed online pharmacy; otherwise, it can adversely affect your health.</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Avoid bright, flashing lights and other visual stimuli.</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Skip TV and computer time whenever possible.</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Avoid playing video games.</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Eat a healthy diet- try a ketogenic diet</span></p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Until more is known about the causes of epilepsy and how it can be prevented, your best bet to prevent seizures associated with epilepsy is to avoid the things that can trigger your seizures. This can make a measurable difference in the number of seizures you have.</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333333;"><strong>Common Medications For Epilepsy</strong></span></h3> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Common epilepsy medications include:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Lamotrigine</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Topiramate</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Valproic acid</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Carbamazepine</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Ethosuximide</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Gabapentin  </span></p> </li> </ul> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333333;"><strong>Diagnosis</strong></span></h3> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">CT scan</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">MRI</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">positron emission tomography (PET)</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">single-photon emission computerized tomography</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Electroencephalogram (EEG)</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Blood tests</span></p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333333; font-size: medium;"><strong>Myths/Facts</strong></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>MYTH:</strong> Epilepsy is a form of spiritual possession.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>FACT:</strong> Although most people have long recognized that epilepsy is not a form of possession, some cultures still believe this. Epilepsy organizations are working hard to educate all people that epilepsy is a medical condition, a disorder of the brain that causes sufferers to have recurrent seizures.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>MYTH:</strong> Epilepsy is contagious.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>FACT:</strong> Epilepsy is not contagious and cannot be ‘caught’ by coming into contact with someone who has seizures, just as diabetes or high blood pressure are not contagious.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>MYTH:</strong> You are born with epilepsy. The cause is genetic.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>FACT:</strong> Anyone can develop epilepsy at any time. Some people are born with it, whereas others have their very first seizure in middle age. While genetics can play a factor, there are other more common causes of epilepsy, such as head trauma, brain tumor or lesion and stroke. In about 60-70% of the cases, the cause of epilepsy is not known. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>MYTH:</strong> Epilepsy affects intelligence.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>FACT:</strong> People with epilepsy on average have the same level of intelligence as those without epilepsy. Learning can be made more difficult if seizures are frequent, or if medication has very pronounced side effects, such as causing drowsiness and excessive fatigue. However, epilepsy typically does not cause lower intelligence. In fact, some very talented and brilliant people have epilepsy, including some pretty influential historical figures such as Sir Isaac Newton, Vincent Van Gogh, Ludwig van Beethoven, Agatha Christie, and Napoleon.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>MYTH:</strong> People with epilepsy can’t work, excel at school, have children or lead normal lives.<br /></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>FACT:</strong> You’ve probably guessed by now that having epilepsy doesn’t preclude someone from doing well at school, excelling in the workplace, having a family and leading a busy life. Epilepsy is a medical condition that can be managed and therefore people with epilepsy can often lead normal lives.</span></p>