Convulsions Treatment in Mumbai, India

A convulsion refers to a seizure in which neuronal activity in the brain is interrupted, causing involuntary muscular contraction and spasm, resulting in rapid, forceful, and irregular bodily motion.

Associated Anatomy

• Convulsions are common in the cerebrum.

• During a seizure or convulsion, cognition-related topological networks include:

  • the hippocampus,

  • amygdala,

  • cortex,

  • corpus callosum (CC),

  • cerebellum,

  • white matter (WM), and other parts of the brain.

Causes of Convulsions

• Sodium or glucose levels in the blood are abnormal.
• Meningitis and encephalitis are two types of brain infections.
• During labour or childbirth, the baby sustains brain damage.
• Problems with the brain that begin before birth (congenital brain defects)
• a brain tumour (uncommon)
• Addiction to drugs
• Electric shock.
• Epilepsy.

Signs and Symptoms of Convulsions

• After a brief blackout, there is a moment of disorientation (the person cannot remember for a short time).
• Behavioural changes, such as picking at one's clothes,
• Drooling or frothing at the mouth signifies that something is wrong with you.
• Movements of the eyes
• Grunted and snorted.
• Bladder or bowel control problems.
• Mood swings, such as outbursts of rage, unexplained terror, panic, joy, or laughter
• The entire body is shaky.
• Sudden descent
• A bitter or metallic flavour is detected.
• Clenched teeth
• Breathing has come to a halt for the time being.

Possible Treatment of Convulsions

• Anti-epileptic medicines (AEDs)
• A surgical procedure in which a small electrical device is implanted inside the body to help manage seizures
• A ketogenic diet can help with convulsion control

Risk Factors

The following are some of the risk factors for convulsions:

• Age. Convulsions are more common in children and the elderly but can happen at any age.
• History of the ancestors. Your chance of getting a seizure disorder may be increased if you have a family history of convulsions.
• Head injuries are a common occurrence. Head trauma might result in convulsions. When driving, wearing a seat belt and a helmet while biking, skiing, riding a motorcycle, or participating in other sports that pose a high risk of head injury can help reduce your risk.
• Stroke and other disorders involving the vasculature Convulsions can occur due to a stroke or other blood vessel (vascular) disorder wreaking havoc on the brain. Reduce your risk of acquiring these diseases by avoiding cigarettes, drinking less alcohol, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
• Dementia. Convulsions are more common in older people with dementia.
• Brain infections are a type of infection that affects the brain. Meningitis, a brain or spinal cord infection that causes inflammation, can increase your risk.
• Seizures in children. Seizures are sometimes linked to high fevers in youngsters. Convulsions are uncommon in children who have seizures due to a high fever. If a child has had a long fever-related seizure, has another nervous system condition, or has a family history of convulsions, they are more likely to have convulsions.

Stage of the prodrome

Some people can predict when a seizure happens during the prodromal period. Hours or even days before the seizure begins, they may notice certain early warning symptoms. However, it is a stage that not everyone goes through. The following are some examples of common warning signs:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Feeling dizzy
• Sleeping issues and difficulty staying focused
• Changes in behaviour occur.

Aura

Auras are usually associated with the beginning of a seizure. In addition, an aura can cause the following symptoms:

• Déjà vu (the feeling that something has happened before but hasn't)
• Jamais vu (the sensation of seeing something familiar for the first time)
• Strange odours, noises, or tastes
• Dizziness
• Problems with vision
• In some places of the body, numbness or "pins and needles" can occur.
• Nausea
• Headache: Panic
• A strong sense of dread

A person may experience an aura that does not lead to a more severe or prolonged seizure. However, some patients don't get an aura at all, and their seizure comes on suddenly with no warning indications.

Phase in the middle (ICTAL)

The ictal phase is the middle (ictal) stage of a seizure. It's the amount of time between the onset of the first symptom and the end of the seizure activity. During this time, the brain experiences a surge of electrical activity. The following are some of the most common indications of this stage:

• Loss of consciousness
• A lapse in memory
• Feeling perplexed
• Odd odours, noises, or tastes are difficult to detect.
• Difficulty speaking or pronouncing unfamiliar words.
• Twitching
• Muscle control loss
• Movements that are repeated (such as lip-smacking or chewing)
• Breathing difficulties as a result of a racing heart

At the final stage of the (Postictal) phase

After the seizure's active (ictal) component, the last postictal stage occurs. This is the stage of recovery, and any bodily symptoms of the seizure are felt during this time. The time it takes for a person to return to normalcy is determined by the type of seizure and the part of the brain involved.

The following are some of the most common indications of this stage:

• Confusion
• Consciousness deficit
• exhaustion (fatigue)
• Headache
• bladder or bowel control problems.
• Anxiety and fear
• Frustration
• Embarrassment or shame
• Thirst
• Nausea
• Muscle aches
• Parts of the body are weak.
• Injuries (head, cuts, broken bones)

After the seizure has passed, some people may recall having one, parts of it, or none at all.

Primary Prevention

• The most effective treatment for convulsions is anticonvulsants. Many anticonvulsants are effective at preventing seizures.
• If you have convulsions, your doctor will determine which anticonvulsant or anticonvulsant combination is appropriate for you.
• Anti-seizure medication taken regularly can also aid with convulsions control. Anticonvulsants must be taken exactly as prescribed and at the same time each day.

Secondary Prevention

• Anti-seizure drugs' effects might last anywhere from 8 to 48 hours. And sticking to a regimen is the best method to keep your anticonvulsant levels consistent.
• Contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience anticonvulsant side effects or are dissatisfied with the anticonvulsant you're taking.
• Anticonvulsants are medications that are used to treat seizures and other medical conditions. Without consulting your doctor, you should not stop taking an anticonvulsant.
• Because anticonvulsants can cause convulsions if abruptly stopped, your doctor may recommend that you taper off or switch anticonvulsants to avoid medication withdrawal convulsions.

Differential Diagnosis

• Whether cardiac or noncardiac, Syncope has the appearance of atonic and even convulsive seizures.
• Breathing problems and benign paroxysmal vertigo in children can be misinterpreted as epilepsy.
• Migraine, acute ischemia episodes, and short-term global amnesia can look like epileptic seizures.

Epidemiology

• Epilepsy affects one out of every 26 people at some point in their lives.
• Single unprovoked seizures occur in 23–61 cases per 100,000 people-years, whereas acute symptomatic seizures occur in 29–39 cases per 100,000 people-years.

Expected Prognosis

• Many factors have a significant impact on epilepsy prognosis.
• The majority of people who have epilepsy have a high chance of going into remission.

Possible Complication

Among the unexpected and unfavourable evolution of Convulsions are the following:

• Trauma to the brain
• Infection of the brain (inflammation of the brain)
• Menacing meningitis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord)
• Sepsis (the body's hypersensitivity to infection)
• A Tumor of the Brain
• Stroke
• Ketoacidosis in diabetics
• Heatstroke
• Significant electrolyte imbalance (often seen in people with kidney disease)
• Kidney failure that occurs suddenly
• Celiac disease in children
• Medication Induced