Treatment of epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological pathology, characterized by recurring epileptic seizures that require prompt treatment to prevent damage to the nervous tissue and epileptic brain lesions. In connection with possible complications of the disease, the question is put so sharply: "Is it possible to cure epilepsy?".Neurologists set a task that solves questions about the possibility of curing pathology and conducting effective maintenance therapy.

Definition and etiology of epilepsy

Epilepsy - is multifactorial neurological disease, typical manifestation of which are attacks. Dimentation in epilepsy is diagnosed in a patient with the occurrence of two or more seizures with a time interval of at least 24 hours. The attack manifests itself as a transient( transient) disruption of the neurological function, arising in view of the superstrong discharge of neurons in the cerebral cortex. Hyperexcitability of nerve cells arises either because of excessive irritation, or because of inhibition of inhibitory effect on them.

For the onset of a seizure, it is necessary to involve a group of neurons in the epileptic focus, the excitation from which, spreading, involves nearby brain regions.

reasons epileptiform seizures:

• brain lesions( meningitis, opuhodi, traumatic brain injury, encephalitis);
• exposure to toxic substances( carbon monoxide, lead, alcohol);
• disturbed metabolism of electrolytes( high or low content of potassium, sodium);
• concomitant pathology( hepatic and renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus);
• exposure to high temperatures( overheating, heat stroke);
• exposure to drugs and narcotics( Amphetamine, penicillin-type antibiotics, Aminazine, Kokakin, etc.).

To provoking factors also include bright flashing light, interruption of specific therapy, lack of sleep.

Since cure for epilepsy can only affect the cause of its occurrence, the diagnosis of concomitant diseases plays an important role in this pathology.

Clinical picture of the disease

Epileptic seizures are divided into:

• partial;
• generalized.

Partial( focal) is usually part of symptomatic epilepsy caused by local damage to brain tissue. Manifestations of such seizures depend on the involved area of ​​the brain, and is manifested:

• by motor disorders( involuntary movements, head rotation, limb spasms);
• sensitive( sensory) seizures( tingling in the limbs, perception of non-existent sounds, voices, sense of taste, etc.);
• vegetative( feeling of palpitation, change of skin color, increased causeless sweating).

Partial seizures may be accompanied by loss of consciousness lasting up to 2 minutes. Generalized seizures always occur with the loss of consciousness of the patient and there are two types - tonic-clonic and absences( small seizures).Treatment of epileptic seizures of these forms requires a timely start, diagnosis and EEG, as it poses a threat to the life of the patient.

cupping

Epilepsy - secondary disease, therefore treatment must be aimed at the underlying pathology causing overstimulation of brain neurons. Accordingly, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to cure epilepsy depends only on the underlying cause of the disease.

At the time of the attack the patient required assistance, aimed at the prevention of TBI( traumatic brain injury), concussion and suffocation. For this patient, you need to turn on your side, and put a soft jacket or backpack under your head( if you do not have cushions on hand).Such simple actions will save the patient from concussion and bruise of the brain.

Important! Do not try to open the jaws with foreign objects, as the result is usually the broken teeth.

After the seizure of the seizure, it is not necessary to awaken the patient, but you need to give him maximum rest and watch him until the full restoration of consciousness. In case of an increase in the duration of the seizure to 5 minutes, the actions should be directed to its arrest with Depakin, and oxygen therapy( most often seizures are completed within a few minutes).

Preventative therapy

Principles of epilepsy treatment should include the effect on the etiologic factor, according to which it is necessary to prescribe specific therapy, as well as to exclude the effects of epilepsy triggers( bright lights, computer games, TV, etc.).Patients should not be bothered about the question of whether a disability is given with epilepsy, since about 80% of patients with this disease get II or III group, since the disease has a very significant effect on the quality of life of a person.

The systematic use of antiepileptic drugs helps to prolong the interictal period, as they inhibit the occurrence and spread of epileptiform excitation. Nevertheless, whether it is possible to cure epilepsy is a rhetorical question and is decided in each case individually.

Therapy aimed at preventing subsequent epileptic seizures is indicated for all patients who have a history of 2 or more seizures. The drugs of choice are:

• carbamazepine;
• valproic acid;
• lamotrigine;
• phenobarbital.

Usually, the effect is achieved with the use of one drug, but in the case of resistance, one has to resort to a combination of several agents.

Finally it is necessary to say that the question of whether epilepsy is curable remains open due to the complexity of therapy of the underlying disease, but, despite this, the prognosis is usually favorable with timely-started therapy.