seizures

Seizures are disturbances of electrical activity in the brain that occur spontaneously. This condition is generally characterized by uncontrolled body movements, which can even cause a loss of consciousness. Seizures can be a symptom of brain disease or other conditions that affect the brain.

There is a lot of information in the community that assumes that seizures are always marked by the body shaking uncontrollably. In fact, some types of seizures have symptoms that are difficult to recognize, such as a sudden blank stare.

The duration of the seizure is usually short, between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. If it lasts more than 2 minutes, the seizure is classified as an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

Causes of Seizures

Seizures are caused by disturbances in electrical activity, in some or all areas of the brain. These disorders can be triggered by disorders in the brain or other conditions that indirectly affect brain function, as explained below:

Disorders in the brain

Some disorders in the brain that cause seizures are:

Epilepsy
Brain tumor
Strokes
Infection of the lining of the brain ( meningitis )
Brain infection (encephalitis)
Congenital abnormalities of the brain
Baby's head injury at birth
Head injury
Abnormalities of blood vessels in the brain
Cerebral palsy or cerebral palsy

Conditions that affect the brain

While other conditions that can affect the brain and trigger seizures are:

Heart disease
Preeclampsia
High fever
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Electrolyte disturbances , such as hyponatremia
Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus
Drug abuse
Withdrawal symptoms
Abnormal blood sugar levels
Accumulation of toxins in the body due to liver failure or kidney failure
Animal stings or venomous animal bites
Poisoning
Got electric shock

In addition, seizures can also be a symptom of a somatoform disorder , which is a type of psychological disorder.

Seizure Symptoms

Seizures are often marked by muscle contractions accompanied by jerking movements throughout the body. However, the actual symptoms of a seizure can vary, depending on the area of the brain that is affected and the severity.

Symptoms of seizures involving multiple areas of the brain include:

Impaired sensation of sight, hearing, or smell
Repetitive movements, such as rubbing your hands or walking in circles
Jerking movements in one part of the body, such as an arm or leg
Changes in mood or mood
Difficulty speaking
Dizziness or nausea
pins and needles

While in seizures that affect all parts of the brain, common symptoms include:

Stiff body followed by jerking movements throughout the body
Jerking movements of the face, neck and hands
Loss of muscle control so that it can make the sufferer suddenly fall
Muscle stiffness, especially in the back and legs
Blank stare in one direction
Eyes blink rapidly

Apart from the symptoms above, there are a number of other symptoms that occur when someone has a seizure, namely:

Momentary loss of consciousness
dazed
Changes in behavior
Foaming at the mouth or drooling
The breath stops temporarily

Seizure symptoms usually only last for a few seconds to a few minutes. Before a seizure, sufferers often experience warning symptoms, namely anxiety, nausea, vertigo , and seeing a flash of light in the eye.

When to see a doctor

If you see someone having a seizure for more than 2 minutes, immediately take the person to the doctor or seek help at the nearest hospital emergency room. Examination and treatment also need to be done in patients with seizures who:

Having a seizure for the first time
Unconscious after having a seizure
Have recurrent seizures
Are pregnant, injured, or have diabetes
Have a high fever

Diagnosis of Seizures

If the patient comes to the hospital in a state of convulsions, the doctor will treat it first. Next, the doctor will ask about the patient's symptoms and medical history.

To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may recommend the patient to undergo further tests, such as:

Blood tests , to detect infections and electrolyte disturbances
Scans with MRI and CT scans, to detect bleeding, tumors, or other disorders in the brain
Lumbar puncture test , to detect infection in the brain by examining a sample of brain fluid
Electroencephalography (EEG) , to see electrical activity in the brain by attaching electrodes to the scalp

Seizure Treatment

Handling of patients with seizures can be divided into first aid and treatment at the hospital. The following is an explanation of each seizure treatment:

First aid for seizure sufferers

First aid in patients with seizures needs to be done to prevent injury. Efforts to be made in this condition include:

Lay the patient in a safe place and away from dangerous objects or sharp objects.
Avoid using violence to restrain the patient's movements.
Place a pillow or other mat to support the patient's head.
Do not put any object in the patient's mouth during the seizure.
Loosen tight clothing, especially around the neck of the sufferer.
Position the patient's head tilted to the right or left, to prevent vomit from entering the throat.
Immediately call for medical assistance from the emergency room or the nearest health center.
Stay with the patient until the seizures stop or until medical personnel arrives.

Management of seizures in the hospital

When a seizure sufferer arrives at the hospital and gets treatment, the doctor will give anti- seizure drugs so that the patient's condition returns to stability. The type and dosage of anti-seizure drugs given can be different for each patient.

If the cause of the seizure is known, the doctor will provide treatment according to the cause. The action given can be by administering drugs, surgery to correct brain abnormalities, or implanting a special device that helps control the flow of electricity in the brain.

Apart from undergoing medical treatment, sufferers of seizures due to epilepsy will be advised to undergo a ketogenic diet . This diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet.

The ketogenic diet is believed to prevent or reduce seizures in epilepsy, especially in children. However, this diet can cause various side effects. Therefore, consult with your doctor first before doing it.

Seizure Complications

Seizures that do not get proper treatment are at risk of recurring at an unexpected time. This can endanger the health of yourself or others, for example:

Sink
Injuries from falls
Accident
Pregnancy complications
Anxiety disorders or depression

Although rare, people with seizures can experience persistent seizures , otherwise known as status epilepticus . This condition is classified as an emergency because it can increase the risk of permanent brain damage, aspiration pneumonia , and even death.

Seizure Prevention

In general, there is no way to prevent seizures. However, there are several efforts that can be made to reduce the risk of developing this condition, namely: