What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy, also categorised as a seizure disorder, is characterised by unexpected, periodic seizures. One episode of seizures does not necessarily mean you have epilepsy, and a thorough diagnostic study such as an Electroencephalography (EEG) needs to be done to check for unusual electrical activity in the brain that could potentially signify the onset of epilepsy.

What are the typical signs of epilepsy?

Symptoms of seizures differ in each case, depending on the category of the seizure. Typical signs of epilepsy include the following:

• Confusion.
• Muscle stiffness.
• Involuntary movement of the legs and arms.
• Loss of awareness.
• Fear, anxiety and other psychological-related symptoms.

What normally causes epilepsy?

The development of epilepsy is linked to several risk factors, such as the following:

• Genetic familial disease, which means epilepsy runs in families.
• Significant head trauma: A traumatic head injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident can lead to the development of epilepsy.
• The presence of infectious diseases such as parasitic infections, viral encephalitis, HIV and meningitis can cause epilepsy.
• Traumatic injuries before birth can occur due to insufficient oxygen, an infection passed onto the mother and inadequate nutrition.
• Developmental disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism can co-occur with epilepsy.

How does a neurologist treat epilepsy?

Treatment for epilepsy aims to minimise the frequency of seizures or put a stop to seizures completely. Dr Naidoo will prescribe the most appropriate medication with an accurate dosage for epilepsy symptoms. However, when medications fail to relieve symptoms, Dr Naidoo will discuss potential treatment options, which include the following:

Surgery is done when diagnostic tests suggest the following:

• The seizures begin in a localised area of the brain.
• Surgery is only performed if it does not interfere with vital functions such as speech, movement, hearing, vision, and language.

However, some minimally invasive forms of surgery, such as stereotactic laser ablation using MRI imaging, can effectively reduce episodes of seizures.