February 11, 2019

Abdi ibrahim medical directorate: “knowing the causes for epilepsy provides a great advantage for keeping seizures under control”

Abdi İbrahim Medical Directorate states that epilepsy, which is one of the neurological diseases affecting mood, sleep and even relationships, can start at any age. On the International Epilepsy Day, the Directorate sheds light on the unknown facts about the disease, possible precautions and treatment methods.

“Epilepsy is just like a war... It can lead to unforeseen consequences.” These words belong to an epilepsy patient. Living with epilepsy, one of the diseases that affect people's mood, sleep, and even relationships, is not as easy as it might seem.

Providing valuable insights about the disease every year on the International Epilepsy Day, on which various events are organized to raise awareness about the disease, Abdi İbrahim Medical Directorate draws attention to the fact that epilepsy can cause different types of seizures in each patient. Categorized as one of the neurological diseases that can affect all age groups, epilepsy can start at any age.

The Most Common Symptom of Epilepsy: Tendency to Have Seizures That Start in the Brain

Drawing attention to the variety of the causes of epilepsy, Abdi İbrahim Medical Directorate underlines that knowing what causes seizures provides a significant advantage in taking precautions. In addition, the seizure type of each epilepsy patient may be different. Some patients live with epilepsy all their lives, while others can only experience these seizures during a certain period in their lives. The most common symptom for all epilepsy patients is the tendency to have seizures that start in the brain.

According to the facts and statistics published by the Epilepsy Society in the UK, most seizures happen suddenly without warning, last a short time (a few seconds or minutes) and stop by themselves. The report states that seizures can be different for each person and that some people have seizures when they are awake and some experience them while they are still asleep.

Noting that injuries can also happen during seizures, it says that many people do not hurt themselves and do not need to go to a hospital or see a doctor. Seizures can cause sudden interruptions in the way the brain normally works. After the seizure, the brain continues to function normally.

Using the Correct Medicine is Key

Some epilepsy patients may experience sudden loss of consciousness during their seizures. Especially in such cases, it can be really useful to have a description of what happened from someone who saw their seizure to help with diagnosis. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used in the treatment of seizures do stop seizures from happening, but does not cure epilepsy. With the right AEDs, up to 70% of seizures can be controlled. For people who do not have their seizures controlled with AEDs, surgery may be an option.

Parents Play a Major Role in the Fight against Epilepsy

Abdi İbrahim Medical Directorate emphasizes the special role family members play in the fight against epilepsy. It is important to provide correct information to the people the patient communicates with.

Physicians who devise the treatment should take into consideration that it is important to adopt a disciplined approach to prevent the negative effects of the disease on both the patients and their family members, eliminating epileptic seizures at all stages.

Children with Epilepsy Should be Informed about Their Condition

If the epilepsy patient is a child, it is advised that he/she should be provided with detailed information about the disease in order to keep him/her safe as well as let him/her live a healthy childhood and develop independence.

References:
1) https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics/what-epilepsy
2) https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/facts-and-statistics#.XFKq_k1f3wo
3) https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizures-youth/parents
4) Saada ve ark.; Epilepsy & Behavior 50, 2015, 10-13