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What Causes Recurrent Seizures?
hello, I have a 40 yr old son who has started having seizures. He has had an MIR and a CT scan, and a EEG. They told him that he has a lot of gray matter on his brain. But everything is normal. He goes to see a neurologist in a few days, but I m wondering what questions we need to ask and what may be causing this to happen, he has been having the seizures for about 6 mths
Sat, 12 May 2018
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
1. As this is a case of recurrent seizure (epilepsy), thus one has to get an appointment of Neurologist to rule out other possible causes like electrolyte imbalance (sodium-potassium-calcium), malignant hypertension, alcohol intake, low blood oxygen/glucose level. One cannot think of tapering or stopping the drug, rather drug has to be taken life long.
2. A brain scan (MRI/CT brain) is necessary to identify any small scar tissue in the brain, or small anomaly of some blood vessel inside the brain along with EEG and suitable blood tests which will help decide whether it was a seizure or something else.
3. Treatment options which one can decide are:
i. Surgery to remove the underlying cause of epilepsy. [suitable option if seizures start in one small area of the brain] but success is limited.
ii. Vagal nerve stimulation [when seizures are difficult to control with medicines] which reduces the intensity and frequency of seizures.
iii. The ketogenic diet: high fat, low protein, and carbohydrate-free diet.
iv. Complementary therapies such as aromatherapy may help with relaxation and relieve stress.
v. Counselling. Psychiatric counseling in people who become anxious or depressed about their condition or Genetic counseling may be appropriate if the type of epilepsy is thought to have a hereditary pattern, till then follow the instructions given below:
. Do not miss the treatment even for 1 day.
. Avoid places where convulsions can be dangerous: swimming, driving vehicles, climbing heights, work near moving machinery, standing in train or bus doors, work near the fire.
. Drugs to be continued for at least 5 years after the last fit, and then slowly tapered off over 6 months.
. Instruct all relatives about the possibility of recuring fits. If they see you getting convulsions, support immediately and make lie on the ground (lateral position) and then put a spoon or wooden ruler between the teeth and wait for convulsion to stop.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Munish Sood
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
1. As this is a case of recurrent seizure (epilepsy), thus one has to get an appointment of Neurologist to rule out other possible causes like electrolyte imbalance (sodium-potassium-calcium), malignant hypertension, alcohol intake, low blood oxygen/glucose level. One cannot think of tapering or stopping the drug, rather drug has to be taken life long.
2. A brain scan (MRI/CT brain) is necessary to identify any small scar tissue in the brain, or small anomaly of some blood vessel inside the brain along with EEG and suitable blood tests which will help decide whether it was a seizure or something else.
3. Treatment options which one can decide are:
i. Surgery to remove the underlying cause of epilepsy. [suitable option if seizures start in one small area of the brain] but success is limited.
ii. Vagal nerve stimulation [when seizures are difficult to control with medicines] which reduces the intensity and frequency of seizures.
iii. The ketogenic diet: high fat, low protein, and carbohydrate-free diet.
iv. Complementary therapies such as aromatherapy may help with relaxation and relieve stress.
v. Counselling. Psychiatric counseling in people who become anxious or depressed about their condition or Genetic counseling may be appropriate if the type of epilepsy is thought to have a hereditary pattern, till then follow the instructions given below:
. Do not miss the treatment even for 1 day.
. Avoid places where convulsions can be dangerous: swimming, driving vehicles, climbing heights, work near moving machinery, standing in train or bus doors, work near the fire.
. Drugs to be continued for at least 5 years after the last fit, and then slowly tapered off over 6 months.
. Instruct all relatives about the possibility of recuring fits. If they see you getting convulsions, support immediately and make lie on the ground (lateral position) and then put a spoon or wooden ruler between the teeth and wait for convulsion to stop.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Munish Sood
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