Epilepsy and Epilepsy Surgery: Understanding and Managing Neurological Seizures

Epilepsy and Epilepsy Surgery: Understanding and Managing Neurological Seizures

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and significantly impacts their lives. The disease is characterized by recurrent seizures resulting from abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy surgery is a treatment option that may be considered when seizures cannot be controlled with other methods. By reading this article prepared for you, you can learn more about epilepsy and gain information about the causes of epilepsy, pre-seizure symptoms, and surgical treatment options.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures that result from abnormal increases in electrical activity between neurons in the brain. Seizures occur due to abnormal firing and communication of neurons. Epileptic seizures can range from mild to severe and present with different symptoms. Epilepsy can begin at any time in life and affects all age groups.

What Causes Epilepsy?

The exact cause of epilepsy is unknown in most cases. However, certain factors are known to increase the risk of developing epilepsy. These factors include:

• Genetic predisposition: People with a family history of epilepsy have a higher risk of developing epilepsy.

• Brain damage: Conditions causing brain damage, such as trauma, infection, tumors, or stroke, can lead to epilepsy.

• Complications during birth: Oxygen deficiency or birth trauma during delivery can increase the risk of developing epilepsy.

• Developmental disorders: Genetic or developmental disorders such as autism and neurofibromatosis can increase the risk of epilepsy.

What are Pre-Seizure Symptoms of Epilepsy?

Certain symptoms may appear before epileptic seizures. These symptoms are warnings that appear shortly before the onset of a seizure and usually indicate that a seizure is about to occur. Pre-seizure symptoms of epilepsy include:

• Aura: Sensory or emotional changes felt before a seizure. An aura can take the form of a smell, sound, visual image, or feeling.

• Déjà vu: A sensation of familiarity experienced before a seizure, as if something has happened before.

• Dizziness or headache: Dizziness or mild headache may occur before a seizure.

• Blurred vision or darkening of vision: Vision-related problems may occur before a seizure.

• Difficulty concentrating: Concentration difficulties may occur before a seizure.

Epilepsy is an important neurological disorder that affects quality of life. Having knowledge about the causes of epilepsy and pre-seizure symptoms can contribute to the management and treatment of the disease. Epilepsy surgery can be a treatment option for patients who do not respond to drug therapy; suitability should be evaluated by a specialist.

What Should We Do During an Epileptic Seizure?

Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by seizures that result from abnormal increases in electrical activity in the brain. During epileptic seizures, it is important that people around the person intervene correctly and quickly. Here is what should be done during an epileptic seizure:

• Stay calm and avoid panicking: It is important to remain calm during a seizure and tell others around you to remain calm as well. Panicking can worsen the situation.

• Keep the person safe: During a seizure, place the patient's head and body on a soft surface. Support their head with a pillow or piece of clothing. Remove sharp and hard objects from the surroundings to prevent injury to the patient.

• Monitor breathing: It is important to monitor the patient's breathing during a seizure. If they are having difficulty breathing, place them on their side to keep the airway open.

• Keep track of time: It is important to monitor how long the seizure lasts. If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or if repeated seizures occur, call for emergency medical help.

• Do not apply pressure on the person: Do not place weight on the patient or hold them tightly during a seizure. This can further impair the patient's breathing.

• Do not put anything in their mouth: Do not put anything in the patient's mouth or try to hold their tongue during a seizure. This can cause the patient to choke or break their teeth.

• Provide support after the seizure: After the seizure passes, provide support to the patient and explain what happened. The patient may experience memory loss for a period after the seizure and may not remember what occurred.

Is Epilepsy a Chronic Condition?

Epilepsy is generally considered a chronic disease. Epilepsy is a disease that is characterized by recurrent seizures and usually lasts a lifetime. However, the course and treatment of the disease varies from person to person. Some patients can control their seizures with appropriate treatment and medication and experience long periods of remission. Other patients cannot completely stop seizures or reduce their frequency. For this reason, epilepsy can be described as a chronic disease; however, treatment response and quality of life show individual differences and should be discussed with your physician.

What Are the Types of Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is divided into different types according to the characteristics and causes of seizures. Here are some basic types of epilepsy:

• Focal (partial) seizures: These seizures occur when a specific area of the brain is affected. Focal seizures are divided into two categories: those with preserved awareness and those with loss of awareness.

• Generalized seizures: Generalized seizures occur when both hemispheres of the brain are affected simultaneously. These types of seizures are subdivided into tonic-clonic, absence, atonic, myoclonic, and tonic seizures.

• Unknown onset seizures: These seizures occur when the point of origin cannot be determined. These seizures may later develop into focal or generalized seizures.

• Symptomatic epilepsy: This type of epilepsy is characterized by seizures caused by brain damage or another medical condition.

• Idiopathic epilepsy: Idiopathic epilepsy occurs when seizures have no apparent cause. Genetic factors are thought to play an important role.

• Cryptogenic epilepsy: Cryptogenic epilepsy occurs when the cause of seizures is unknown. This type of epilepsy may be more difficult to manage than other types.

What Are the Symptoms of Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by seizures that result from abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Symptoms of epilepsy vary depending on the type of seizure and which part of the brain is affected. Here are some of the symptoms of epilepsy:

• Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal seizures): In these seizures, patients lose consciousness, and convulsions and tremors are observed. Breathing can become difficult and incontinence may occur.

• Absence seizures (petit mal seizures): In these seizures, brief loss of consciousness occurs and patients typically stare blankly. These seizures often begin in childhood and are rapid seizures that start and end within seconds.

• Partial (focal) seizures: In these seizures, a specific part of the brain is affected and symptoms vary according to the affected area. Partial seizures are divided into two types:

• Simple focal seizures: In these seizures, consciousness is not affected. Symptoms such as convulsions, sensory, or automatic movements are observed.

• Complex focal seizures: In these seizures, loss of consciousness occurs and patients may perform automatic movements, for example, rubbing their hands together or licking their lips.

• Atonic seizures: In these seizures, muscle tone is lost and patients may fall suddenly.

• Myoclonic seizures: In these seizures, sudden and rapid muscle contraction movements occur.

• Clonic seizures: In these seizures, rhythmic contraction and relaxation movements are observed.

How is Epilepsy Diagnosed?

Epilepsy is diagnosed using the patient's seizure history, physical and neurological examination, laboratory tests, and brain imaging methods. Here are some methods used in epilepsy diagnosis:

• Electroencephalography (EEG): EEG is a test that records brain waves and shows abnormal electrical activity. It is a commonly used method in epilepsy diagnosis.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI is used to obtain detailed images of the brain and helps detect abnormalities that may cause epilepsy.

• Computed Tomography (CT): CT is used to obtain cross-sectional images of the brain and helps detect abnormalities that may cause epilepsy.

• Blood tests: Blood tests can help detect metabolic or genetic disorders that may cause epilepsy.

How is Epilepsy Treated?

Epilepsy treatment varies depending on the type of epilepsy, its cause, and the patient's age. Treatment decisions should be made together with your physician. Here are some methods used in epilepsy treatment:

• Drug therapy: The first step in epilepsy treatment is usually antiepileptic drugs. These medications may help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures. Medications vary from patient to patient and are used according to the doctor's recommendation.

• Vagus nerve stimulator (VNS): VNS is a device placed in the chest area that sends regular electrical impulses to the vagus nerve. These impulses may help reduce seizure frequency and severity in some patients.

• Ketogenic diet: The ketogenic diet is a diet plan high in fat and low in carbohydrates. This diet may support seizure control in some cases, particularly in children who do not respond well to medication, under medical supervision.

• Surgical treatment: Surgical treatment may be considered in cases where epileptic seizures originate from a specific, identifiable brain region. Outcomes vary by patient and should be evaluated by a specialist.

• Deep brain stimulation (DBS): DBS is a treatment method that aims to reduce seizure activity by sending electrical impulses to specific brain regions. This method may be an option for some patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, following specialist evaluation.

Epilepsy Treatment Costs in Turkey

Turkey has made investments in the healthcare field, including diagnostic and treatment technologies used across a range of diseases. There has also been an increase in medical tourism to Turkey in recent years.

Factors that patients and their families commonly consider when evaluating healthcare options include:

• Hospital infrastructure and available technological equipment,

• The experience and qualifications of the medical team,

• The attentiveness of nursing and support staff,

• Communication and responsiveness of the healthcare team,

• The overall patient support process, including any care coordination services involved,

• The country's accessibility and general travel considerations,

• General cost levels for diagnosis, treatment, accommodation, and other related needs.

Regarding epilepsy treatment costs in Turkey, many patients and their relatives research this topic before travel planning. However, it would not be appropriate to provide definitive pricing information here, as costs depend on several factors such as the type and stage of the disease, the diagnostic process, the treatment plan, and the length of stay. For individualized information, it is recommended to consult directly with a healthcare provider or institution. Administrative matters such as travel documentation are generally handled separately from medical treatment decisions.