Epilepsy In Children: Everything You Need To Know!

Few instances match the drama of a convulsive seizure like a person suffering from it might fall on the floor unconsciously or may cry out loudly, drool, or even lose bladder control. And within minutes, when the attack is over, the person regains its consciousness but is dazed and tired.

This is the situation people often imagine when they heard anything about epilepsy. Of course, it’s less painful to hear about such situations; watching your child dealing with such a situation is the most frightening thing of your life.

But, if you know how to deal with such situations, you would be able to handle your kid.

What Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a blanket term that is used to define the person who has seizures. In simpler terms, you can call it a brain disease in which the cluster of nerve cells or the neurons present in the brain reach abnormally.

Neurons, normally help in generating electro-chemical impulses that react on other neurons, muscles, and glands to initiate human thoughts, feelings as well as actions. In this condition, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, thereby causing weird sensations, emotions, and sometimes loss of consciousness.

You might observe that during a seizure, the neurons fire as many as 500 times a second, which is much faster than their normal release.

Furthermore, Epilepsy is not contagious and is not caused by mental retardation or brain illness. In fact, people suffering from mental retardation might experience a seizure, but seizure does not mean that the person is or will develop any kind of mental illness.

Cause of Epilepsy

Anything that hinders the normal pattern of neuron activities, whether it’s the illness to the brain damage or the abnormal development of brain cells, anything can lead to a seizure.  Further, it can be an imbalance in the nerve signaling chemicals, abnormality in the brain’s wiring or the combination of both; epilepsy can be caused by anything.

Also, the correct identification of the seizure type’s and epilepsy is very important in helping to get the most appropriate drugs and predicting the risks and Phenytoin or Dilantin Long Term Side Effects.

Epilepsy In A Newborn

Epilepsy in the newborn is completely different from the one in teen and adults. In them, the seizures are fragmentary because the newborn’s brain is still in the process of development and is unable to give coordinated responses. However, you might observe that:

• The baby might be jerking or have stiffened in one arm or leg.
• The whole upper body might suddenly jerk forward
• Infants facial expression, breathing process, heart rate might change
• Repeated identical episodes in features and duration of child

Epilepsy And Changes In The Teens

Adolescence is the most important period to review the diagnosis of epilepsy and its syndromes and to identify its underlying effects and causes. Teenager with epilepsy will suffer additional and occasional neurological impairments.

The common symptoms include learning difficulties, motor disorders, behavioural problems, and more. While some teenagers require lifelong care and support from different disciplines, others will be able to develop a degree of control over their lives.

Diagnosis of Epilepsy

Various tests help to determine whether the teen has epilepsy. While some symptoms might look like a seizure, some are nonepileptic events that are caused by other disorders. However, below mentioned tests would help you determine epilepsy:

• EEG Monitoring: EEG records the brain waves that are detected by recorded by the electrodes which are placed on the scalp. This test will determine the abnormalities in the brain’s functionality and activity. People who have the epilepsy might observe changes in their normal pattern of brain waves.
• Brain Scans: Another important way to diagnose epilepsy is through brain scanning with the most common scans include computed tomography (CT Scan), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and positron emission tomography.
• Blood Test: Blood tests are often done to screen genetic disorders that are associated with a seizure. These tests are also done to identify underlying problems like lead poisoning, anemia, diabetes, and infections.

So, those were some things you need that will help you diagnose epilepsy!