Epilepsy Symptoms: What You Need to Know

Epilepsy is a disorder that relates to the nervous system and which triggers seizures. It affects the quality of life and increases the chances of injuries. There are different types of epilepsy. Regarding some of them, it may be feasible to point out the reasons for the occurrence. However, the cause is still unknown in some cases, although most diseases have known causes. A seizure disorder is still present in society, and within the last few years, the global prevalence has been on the rise. 

Epilepsy can happen to anybody: throughout age and gender, across colours of the skin, and everything in between, both in the adult and the youth. A doctor should be consulted if the seizure lasts more than five minutes or if there are other symptoms. Now, let’s look at the various epilepsy symptoms. 

Symptoms of Epilepsy

Epilepsy symptoms can vary based on the type of seizure but may include:

• Temporary loss of awareness: Episodes of unconsciousness or brief lapses in awareness.
• Uncontrolled body movements: Sudden jerking or twitching of muscles, loss of muscle strength, or floppy limbs.
• Staring spells: A vacant or "zoned out" look, as if staring into space.
• Confusion and slowed thinking: Temporary difficulty processing thoughts, speaking, or understanding conversations.
• Sensory changes: Altered perceptions of sound, sight, taste, or smell, or sensations like numbness or tingling.
• Repetitive movements: Involuntary actions like lip-smacking, chewing, hand rubbing, or fidgeting.
• Stomach discomfort: Nausea, a fluttery sensation in the stomach, or waves of warmth or chills.
• Emotional and psychological effects: Feelings of fear, dread, déjà vu, or sudden anxiety.
• Physical symptoms: Increased heart rate, rapid breathing, or goosebumps.

Here, we categorize epilepsy symptoms into  common  and  other symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Epilepsy 

Seizures are the main characteristic of epilepsy, more specifically, recurrent ones. Still, the nature of the seizure that you suffer from determines the symptoms of epilepsy that you are bound to endure.

Seizures

A seizure is a temporary loss of control of brain activity caused by the brain's normal electrical pattern being interrupted while sending signals. A concussion is a brain injury resulting from a blow to the head or rapid body oscillations. Whether focal or generalised, concussions can be rather disabling as far as lifestyle changes are concerned.

• Focal Seizures involve the individual or several parts of the brain as the starting place of the seizures. These can produce many symptoms, such as tingling or numbness, muscle twitching, falls, and brief loss of consciousness.
• Generalised Seizures affect all brain parts, both the right and left sides. They are of different kinds, such as absence and tonic-clonic seizures.
• Absence Seizures are abnormal and often involuntary movements and physical acts that the patient does not plan. They are known as absence seizures that resemble daydreams.
• Tonic-Clonic Seizures: The movements associated with tonic-clonic seizures are loss of consciousness, stiffening of all the muscles, and jerking.

Physical Symptoms

• Muscle Stiffness:  Tightening of body muscles is also observed during a seizure because muscles become stiff.
• Uncontrollable Jerking: The effects of epilepsy consist of shocks, which in turn bring about violent jerking of limbs and the entire body.
• Loss of Consciousness: Some types of seizures are described by the basal feature of a loss of consciousness/awareness.

Psychological Symptoms

• Anxiety and Fear:  While having a seizure, or just before or after it, a person may experience panic or fear.
• Déjà Vu Expériences: A person might feel they have been in the current situation.
• Confusion or Memory Lapses: Seizures can lead to confusion or temporary problems with short-term memory.

Recognising Symptoms in Different Age Groups

• Children: Children can have absence seizures even though they might look as if they are daydreaming or sleeping with their eyes open.
• Adults: The seizures in adults may be focal and might be accompanied by an alteration of consciousness.  
• Elderly: Seizures in elderly people are less obvious and could be mistaken for Dementia, Alzheimer’s, or any other related diseases that affect the elderly.

Managing Epilepsy Symptoms

• Medications: Anti-seizure medication is effective in managing the occurrence of seizures in several cases. 
• Lifestyle Changes: There are measures that patients can take when they experience symptoms. They can ensure adequate rest, avoid stress, and eat a healthy diet.
• Support Groups and Therapy: People can get emotional support and practical advice on how to live with epilepsy symptoms from support groups and therapy.

Conclusion

Epilepsy is thus defined by various types of seizures, motor manifestations, including limberness and myoclonia, and psychological signs, including anxiety and disorientation. Seizure symptoms must be recognised in various age groups at the right time. Treating epilepsy frequently requires the use of drugs, diet, and other changes in one’s daily routine, as well as participation in activities and therapy. With proper treatment and routine, a person with seizure symptoms can live a normal and healthy life. 

Nanavati Max Hospital is renowned for its Neuroscience Department, offering comprehensive and innovative treatment options for epilepsy, providing specialised care to patients with this complex condition. If you or someone in your family needs medical assistance for such a condition, you can always rely on Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are The First Signs of Epilepsy?

The first epilepsy symptoms could be abnormal sensations, unprovoked jerking, etc.  

2. How do I Know if I’m Having a Seizure?

If you find yourself in a state of shock for some time, lose consciousness or experience rigidity of muscles, you may know that it is a seizure symptom.   

3. Can Epilepsy Symptoms Be Managed Without Medication?

Yes, with proper diet, certain lifestyle modifications, and preventive steps like avoiding trigger foods and consulting a doctor, epilepsy symptoms can be managed. 

4. What Should I Do if Someone is Having a Seizure?

Calm down, protect them from harm, lay them down on their side, and do not feed them anything. If it continues for too long, you should call for help immediately. 

5. Are There Triggers That Can Provoke Seizures?

Yes, triggers include stress, lack of sleep, flashing lights, alcohol, and if a dose of the medication was missed. 

6. Can Epilepsy Develop at Any Age?

Yes, epilepsy can develop at any age, from childhood to adulthood, but it is common in children. 

7. How are Epilepsy Symptoms Diagnosed?

Common methods are the patient’s history and physical condition, along with other diagnostic tools, including EEG and MRI. 

8. Who Treats Epilepsy? 

It is treated by neurological doctors known as epileptologists.