Seizures And Epilepsy In Children

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Seizures And Epilepsy In Children
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Introduction

• There exists a great deal of misunderstanding and
  confusion about Seizures. They are nothing but
  uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain
  which may produce physical convulsions, thought
  disturbances or a combination of
  symptoms. Hospitals in Gurgaon with advanced
  pediatric units like Artemis Hospitals are
  equipped enough to deal with all these and more.
• There are different types of seizures. Some last
  for a few seconds, while others may last for a
  few minutes. The type of seizure a person has
  depends on where in the brain the seizure starts,
  and which part of the brain is involved. 

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The symptoms include

• Convulsions
• Loss of consciousness
• A sudden feeling of fear or panic
• Uncontrolled shaking of an arm or leg
• Flexing, stiffening, jerking, or twitching of the
  upper body

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• Seizures can be caused by head injuries, brain
  tumours, and genetic issues amongst others. When
  they occur repeatedly over time without any acute
  illness, brain abnormality or a brain injury,
  its called Idiopathic Epilepsy. However, when
  the cause of recurring seizures is known, its
  called Symptomatic Epilepsy.
• Every paediatrician from the best hospital in
  Delhi would diagnose your child with epilepsy if
  the following symptoms exist
• Temporary confusion
• Loss of consciousness or awareness
• Psychic symptoms such as fear, anxiety
• Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and
  legs 

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Types Of Seizures

• Convulsive Seizures
• Absence seizures
• Focal seizures

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Convulsive Seizures

• These seizures impact the whole body. They cause
  rapid, rhythmic and sometimes violent shaking
  movements, with loss of consciousness. These can
  start in one part of the brain, causing one part
  of the body to move, and then spread to the
  entire brain. This can cause movements on both
  sides of the body. These seizures usually last
  for 2 or 3 minutes and usually end on their own.
• Convulsive seizures occur in about 5 out of every
  100 people at some time during childhood. It is
  important to note that not everyone who has a
  single seizure will go on to develop epilepsy.

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Absence Seizures

• These seizures are very short episodes with a
  vacant stare or a brief lapse of attention. These
  may be accompanied by subtle symptoms like rapid
  eye blinking. These occur mainly in young
  children and may be so subtle that they aren't
  noticed until they begin affecting day to day
  activities.

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Focal seizures 

• These seizures involve abnormal electrical
  activity in one part of the brain. During one of
  these, consciousness is generally impaired. The
  person engages in random, repetitive and
  purposeless activities like walking slowly in
  circles, being unaware of what is going on around
  them. This type of seizure typically lasts for
  around 1 to 2 minutes.

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Conclusion

• These type of seizures can also involve jerking
  of one or more parts of the body, or sensory
  changes that may not be obvious to anybody
  around. During such type of seizures, the person
  is fully aware of what is going on. These
  seizures, where in, the consciousness is not
  impaired are called Simple Partial Seizures.
• Most seizures will stop on their own and will not
  require immediate medical treatment. If your
  child is having a convulsion, protect them from
  injuring themselves by laying them on the side
  with hips higher than the head to avoid choking
  in case of vomiting. If symptoms persist, do
  visit a Pediatric Neurologist in Delhi to
  get more clarity on the issue of seizures and
  epilepsy

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Image Source webmd.com medicalnewstoday.com,
firstaidforlife.org.uk,  epilepsy.com,
soundcloud.com