DEFINITION:

When nerve cells in the brain fire electrical impulses at a rate of up to four times
higher than normal, this causes a sort of electrical storm in the brain, known as a seizure. A
pattern of repeated seizures is referred to as epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a group of related disorders in the brain's electrical systems that are
characterized by a tendency to cause recurrent seizures. Seizures cause changes in movement,
behavior, sensation, or awareness, including loss of consciousness or convulsions, which last
from a few seconds to a few minutes in most individuals.
SYMPTOMS:
Generalized seizures
Seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain are called generalized seizures. Six types
of generalized seizures exist.

Absence seizures. Absence seizures, previously known as petit mal seizures, often
occur in children and are characterized by staring into space or subtle body
movements such as eye blinking or lip smacking. These seizures may occur in clusters
and cause a brief loss of awareness.

STARING
EYE
BLINKING
LIP SMACKING
INTO SPACE

LOSS OF
AWARENESS

Tonic seizures. Tonic seizures cause stiffening of your muscles. These seizures
usually affect muscles in your back, arms and legs and may cause you to fall to the
ground.

STIFENING

OF

MUSCLES

FALL DOWN

Atonic
seizures. Atonic seizures, also known as drop seizures, cause a loss of muscle control,
which may cause you to suddenly collapse or fall down.

LOSS OF MUSCLE CONTROL

FALL DOWN

Clonic seizures. Clonic seizures are associated with repeated or rhythmic, jerking
muscle movements. These seizures usually affect the neck, face and arms.

JERKING MUSCLE MOVEMENTS

Myoclonic seizures. Myoclonic seizures usually appear as sudden brief jerks or

twitches of your arms and legs.

JERKS OF ARM

TWITCHING OF LEG

Tonic-clonic seizures. Tonic-clonic seizures, previously known as grand mal seizures,

are the most dramatic type of epileptic seizure and can cause an abrupt loss of
consciousness, body stiffening and shaking, and sometimes loss of bladder control or
biting your tongue.
LOSS

OF

CONCIOUSNESS
STIFFENING &

BODY
BITING TOUNGUE
SHAKING

Partial seizures
Partial seizures involve just one side of the brain. Partial seizures may be classified as simple
or complex.
Simple partial seizures usually involve a single part of the brain such as the
motor area and sensory area.

Motor area- These cause a change in muscle activity. For example, a person may have
abnormal movements such as jerking of a finger or stiffening of part of the body.

JERKING OF HAND
JERKING OF FINGER
Sensory area- People with sensory seizures may smell or taste things that aren't there;
hear clicking, ringing, or a person's voice when there is no actual sound; or feel a
sensation of "pins and needles" or numbness.

SENSE OF SMELL
SENSATION OF PINS AND NEEDLES

SENSE OF HEARING
NUMBNESS

Psychological area- Memory or emotional disturbances.

MEMORY DISTURBANCE

EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE

Complex partial seizures occur in the frontal or temporal lobe with the brain
and often involve other areas of the brain that affect alertness and awareness. These
seizures result in daydream like states and sometimes involve unusual activities like
picking at the air as if something was there, repeating words or phrases, laughing, or
other activities.

DAY DREAMING

UNUSUAL LAUGHING

CAUSES:

Sleep deprivation overtired, not sleeping well, not getting enough sleep

At times of fevers or other illnesses

Flashing bright lights or patterns

Alcohol or drug use.

Stress

Associated with menstrual cycle (women) or other hormonal changes

Not eating well, low blood sugar

Specific foods, excess caffeine or other products that may aggravate seizures

Use of certain medications

Head trauma.

Infectious diseases

Genetic influence.

Electrolyte abnormalities.

Prenatal injury.
Developmental disorders.

LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS FOR EPILEPSY:

The best preventive measure is to comply strictly with the drug regimen as prescribed.
Seizures and epilepsy cannot be prevented by lifestyle changes alone, but people can
make behavioural changes that improve their lives and give them a sense of control.

FIRST AID FOR EPILEPSY

Dos and Donts

AVOIDING EPILEPTIC TRIGGERS

In most cases, there is no known cause for epilepsy, specific events or conditions may
trigger them and they should be avoided.
Inadequate or Fragmented Sleep
Smoking

Flashing Lights
Stress

Head trauma

Alcohol

and

RELAXATION

TECHNIQUES
Deep breathing

Biofeedback

Meditation techniques

EXERCISE

Exercise is important for many aspects of epilepsy, although it can be problematic.

Weight

maintain bone density.

Exercise can also help to prevent

weight gain.
There have been some reports that

bearing

exercise

helps

exercise may trigger seizures in

some

patients,

but

this

is

uncommon.

DIETARY MEASURES
Many nutrients and have been implicated
in the treatment of epilepsy, however,
only

the

Ketogenic

and

Modified

Ketogenic Diets have been medically

proven to effectively treat epilepsy.

Nutritionally balanced diet with

adequate fluid intake
a. Balancing
macronutrients
(fat, carbohydrate, protein)
b. Eating a wide variety of foods to maximize micronutrient

intake
Maintain a healthy weight by consuming the appropriate amount
of calories, fat, protein and carbohydrate.

Balance calorie intake with energy output.

Cut back on portion sizes.
Make half your plate vegetables.
Choose low fat dairy like skimmed milk, etc.
Cut back on foods with solid fats and added salt.
Drink water and avoid sugar and sweetened beverages.
Control your food: eat at home more often, eat lean protein.

THE KETOGENIC DIET

The Ketogenic diet, which is very high in fat (90%), very low in carbohydrates,
and low in protein, has been studied and debated for decades. It has proven to be

helpful for many children with severe epilepsy that does not respond to AEDs. It is

not clear why it works.

The standard theory is that burning fat instead of carbohydrates causes an increase
in ketones (chemical substances in the body that result from the breakdown of fat
in the body). When excessive levels of ketones are produced, a metabolic state

called ketosis happens.

Ketosis appears to alter certain amino acids in the brain and to increase levels of
the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps prevent
nerve cells from over firing.

Side Effects and Complications:

To prevent serious side effects, children need regular monitoring by a doctor, especially
when the diet is first initiated. Side effects or complications that may occur at the start of
the diet include:

Acidosis, a build-up of acid in the blood and body

Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
Stomach upset
Dehydration
Lethargy

Side effects that may occur later on include:

Unhealthy cholesterol and lipid levels

Kidney stones, which may be a complication of acidosis, occur in about 5% of
children on the diet. Patients should drink plenty of fluids. Oral potassium citrate

may be protective.
Slowing of growth
Decreased bone density

EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGIC SUPPORT

Some of the following tips may help the patients with epilepsy:
Often patient can be given the hope that they will outgrow the disorder.
Most of patients will not have seizures triggered by sports or by any other ordinary

activities that are enjoyable and healthy.

The patients should be active participants in maintaining their drug regimens,
which should be presented in as positive a light as possible.