The human brain exchanges fine electrical signals between cells, thinking, talking, and exercising. The brain, which is involved in all physical and mental functions, can develop symptoms such as convulsions or loss of consciousness without moving at will if nerve cells are suppressed or excessively excited due to various causes. This is called a epileptic seizure.
Epilepsy can occur in all age groups. In the case of children and adolescents, heredity, infection, metabolic disease, and unknown cause are common, and in the case of adults and elderly, trauma, stroke, drug side effects, dementia, and degenerative neurological diseases are considered important causes.
Seizures vary depending on the location and intensity of the brain that affects, from blinking the eyelids to a major stroke in which the entire body shakes violently or the whole body becomes stiff by biting bubbles.
It is important to listen to detailed medical history for diagnosis, but most of them are unconscious during seizures and cannot explain their symptoms on their own. Therefore, if possible, it is helpful to visit the hospital with a witness who watched the seizure or take a video of the symptoms.
In addition to the interview, brain waves and MRI tests can be performed to check the characteristics of seizures, risk factors for epilepsy, and the presence or absence of other nervous system diseases.
In the early stages, medication is done. Rather than performing surgery first, anticonvulsants are first prescribed and treated to stabilize and control excessively excited brain cells.
About 70% of the symptoms can be controlled through medication, so there is no problem in daily life. However, surgery can be considered if it is judged to be intractable epilepsy that causes convulsions even after a long period of proper anti-convulsant treatment.
Kang Tae-ho, head of the neurology department at Daedong Hospital, said, "We often misunderstand that epilepsy is an incurable and scary disease, but it is necessary to look at it without prejudice because it is a disease that can lead to daily life through treatment."
Manager Kang said, "If you find a patient with epilepsy, you should calmly lie down on your side to prevent suffocation, release ties and belts to make breathing easier, and use 119 to receive hospital treatment."
Most recover naturally over time, but if the seizure persists for more than five minutes or if the seizure occurs again without consciousness returning after the seizure, it may be a threat to the patient's life.
In addition, make sure to organize the surrounding items so that the patient does not get hurt, and watch from the side until the seizure ends or 119 paramedics come. At this time, it is said that you should never try to force your mouth open or put medicine in your mouth. Do not poke your finger with a needle or force your limbs.
Writer: Yeyoung Jeon
(Image from Unsplash)
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