Magwise

Diseases treated at the Magwise clinic

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Seizures are the result of sudden and excessively synchronous electrical activity in the brain. It is estimated that about 50 million people suffer from epilepsy.

Symptoms of epilepsy

Seizures can manifest with different symptoms, depending on what brain area the abnormal electrical activity affects.

  • Focal (partial) seizures: These symptoms depend on the area of the brain where the excessive electrical activity begins. These may include changes in consciousness, convulsions, uncontrollable movements, changes in perception, mental disorders, or loss of sensation in certain body parts.
  • Generalized seizure: these seizures affect both hemispheres of the brain and can lead to loss of consciousness, sudden and violent muscle contractions (tonic-clonic seizures), loss of muscle tone (atonic seizures), loss of contact with the environment (absence), etc.

Epilepsy diagnosis:

The diagnosis of epilepsy consists of several stages and procedures aimed at diagnosing epilepsy and confirming this neurological disorder.

Briefly, the diagnosis of epilepsy includes:

  • Medical history and symptom analysis. The doctor conducts a detailed medical history, during which the patient describes his symptoms, frequency of seizures, duration, and characteristic features of their epileptic seizure. It is essential to gather information about triggers, family history of epilepsy, and other relevant medical conditions or medications the patient takes.
  • Electroencephalography (EEG): This is one of the essential diagnostic tools for epilepsy. It involves placing electrodes on the patient's scalp to monitor the brain's electrical activity. EEG helps detect abnormal patterns of electrical activity that are characteristic of epilepsy.
  • Brain imaging tests: Your doctor may recommend brain imaging tests, such as a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. These tests assess the brain's structure and rule out other possible causes of symptoms, such as brain tumors or injuries.

Treatment of epilepsy

In the treatment of epilepsy, the type and severity of seizures and the individual needs of the patient are critical.
  • Pharmacological treatment: that is, the administration of antiepileptic drugs. Antiepileptic drugs such as valproic acid, phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and others are often the first-choice medications. Their goal is to control and prevent seizures by regulating electrical activity in the brain.
  • Ketogenic diet: In some cases, a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates may effectively control seizures, especially in children.
  • Surgery: In cases where seizures are not controlled with medication and the area of the brain responsible for the seizures is precisely located, brain surgery may be considered to remove the damaged area or to insert brain-stimulating implants.
  • Stimulation therapy: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) or vagus nerve stimulation may be used in some patients, especially in cases resistant to other treatments.

Diagnosis and treatment available on Magwise

  • EEG test
  • Pharmacotherapy under the supervision of a specialist neurologist

Specialists in the treatment of epilepsy