CONDITIONS
Epilepsy
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological illness that happens due to irregular brain activity, which triggers seizures, unusual sensations and behaviour.
What are the causes?
Seizures occur when segments of the brain release bursts of electrical messages that interfere with standard brain signals. Typically, high fever, hypotension or hypertension can disrupt the connection between the brain’s nerve cells. Children are diagnosed with epilepsy when they have more than two seizures without a known cause.
How do children get it?
Most of the time, no cause for epilepsy is found.
Children can acquire epilepsy as a secondary disorder due to AIDS, meningitis and encephalitis.
Other reasons for the development of epilepsy are:
- Head injury
- Brain tumour
- Stroke
- Prenatal infections and oxygen deficiencies
- Autism
However, most of the time, no cause for the epilepsy is found.
What are the symptoms?
- Abnormal movement to the limbs
- Twitching of the limbs
- Sustained muscle contraction
- Seizures
- Psychological conditions such as fear and anxiety
What does a diagnosis entail?
Doctors review your child’s medical history and symptoms to get one step closer to an accurate diagnosis. A neurological exam is vital in assessing your child’s cognitive ability, behaviour and neurological function. An MRI and CT scan are additional imaging tests that confirm a diagnosis of epilepsy.
An electroencephalogram or EEG is a test that measures the electrical activity in your child's brain. Irregular brain signals, even without a seizure, confirm a diagnosis of epilepsy.
How do you treat epilepsy?
Anti-seizure medication also known as anti-epileptic medicine, prevents seizures in children. Doctors usually prescribe a small dosage at first to see if your child responds well to treatment. Other chronic medicines are first assessed before anti-epileptic medication is prescribed.
What is the result?
Most of the time, after the use of anti-epileptic medication, children’s seizures subside. If seizures persist even after treatment, doctors turn to other therapies to relieve these epileptic episodes.
What does prevention for seizures entail?
Avoid stimulants high in sugar and caffeine that may trigger an adverse reaction. Also, children with epilepsy must avoid flashing or bright lights.
Takeaway
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that occurs when electrical activity bursts interfere with the brain's normal functioning. Symptoms of epilepsy are seizures, a lapse in memory and confusion. Doctors can only manage symptoms of epilepsy, reducing seizures through the use of anti-epileptic medication.
Disclaimer
This information is for educative purposes only and is meant to be read by parents after their child has seen their medical practitioner.
WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?
Confusion/lack of awareness
Staring blankly
Poor memory
Twitching of the arms and legs or abnormal movements
For these warning signs, seek urgent medical attention.
DO NOT DELAY CARE
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What is a paediatrician?
A paediatrician is a doctor who has specialised in medical care for children from birth to their teenage years. Paediatricians diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions in children, ranging from allergies, infections and injuries to behavioural and learning problems.