Can mild epilepsy be treated?

Written by Liu Shi Xiang
Neurology
Updated on October 31, 2024
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Mild epilepsy is treatable. If the patient is experiencing their first seizure or if the seizures are infrequent, it’s generally appropriate to observe clinically and not rush to use anti-epileptic drugs. Such patients typically experience only very mild neurological symptoms during a seizure, such as limb weakness, numbness, or facial droop. However, if the patient's seizures occur frequently, it is necessary to control the symptoms with anti-epileptic medications, which often include drugs such as levetiracetam, gabapentin, sodium valproate, and lamotrigine. Patients with mild epilepsy should also work on strengthening their exercise routines, maintaining a calm mind, and getting sufficient sleep to help prevent seizures to a certain extent. If the patient's condition worsens or becomes intractable epilepsy, surgical treatment methods may be considered to control the symptoms.

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Written by Yuan Jun Li
Neurology
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What are the signs before the onset of epilepsy?

Before the onset of epilepsy, most patients do not exhibit any signs and can suddenly experience an epileptic seizure. Different types of epilepsy have different symptoms. For example, during a major seizure, symptoms can include limb twitching, eyes rolling upwards, frothing at the mouth, clenched teeth, loss of consciousness, and abnormal blood pressure, which can lead to severe falls and injuries. During a minor seizure, the patient mainly shows transient loss of consciousness, objects in hand may suddenly drop, unresponsiveness when called, and a vacant stare. Most patients do not fall, and the symptoms generally last for only a few seconds to tens of seconds. If autonomic epileptic seizures are considered, symptoms may include nausea and vomiting. Psychotic symptom seizures can present with hallucinations and delusions.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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What precautions should epilepsy patients take?

Patients with epilepsy should pay attention to establishing regular daily routines and avoid staying up late. They should not participate in potentially dangerous activities such as climbing or swimming. Also, they should minimize consumption of stimulating beverages like cola, Sprite, Red Bull, and coffee. It is advisable to eat more vegetables and fruits and reduce the intake of spicy and stimulating foods. Maintaining a regular life schedule is important, and playing electronic devices or using mobile phones for extended periods should be avoided. All sorts of exciting situations can easily trigger an epileptic seizure, so it is crucial to eat regularly without becoming too hungry or too full. Moreover, taking anti-epileptic drugs regularly and following medical guidance from doctors at the hospital is necessary.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What are the psychological manifestations of patients with epilepsy?

Patients with epilepsy disorder display various psychological disturbances, which have received extensive attention from neurology experts in recent years. Overall, the psychological manifestations of epilepsy patients primarily include: First, refusal to speak, where epilepsy patients exhibit clear symptoms of being uninterested in anything, valuing themselves very lowly, and lacking self-worth. Second, anxiety, which is also a common emotion among epilepsy patients who constantly worry about having seizures, especially in public places, leaving a significant psychological impact on themselves. Third, epilepsy patients usually possess a fairly obvious sense of inferiority, feeling unable to lift their heads in front of others. Fourth, complex psychological disturbances, where epilepsy patients typically experience coexisting psychological disorders, such as simultaneous anxiety and depression, or compulsions coexisting with depression. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy must pay close attention to the psychological expressions of the patients.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Precursors to epileptic seizures in children

The majority of childhood epilepsy seizures occur without any precursors, as they arise and cease suddenly with stereotyped movements. However, some seizures are preceded by prodromes, such as sudden onset of consciousness disturbances, or fainting symptoms. Other seizures can present with motor dysfunctions, displaying sudden weakness or fatigue in certain limbs, followed by an epileptic attack. Additionally, some may experience abnormal sensations, such as numbness in a specific area or visual disturbances, including sudden flashes or even visual distortions, leading to convulsive seizures.

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Written by Liu Shi Xiang
Neurology
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What can severe epilepsy lead to?

Severe epilepsy can cause many complications, such as cerebral edema, brain herniation, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, etc. Therefore, severe epilepsy can seriously threaten the patient's life. If the patient's epilepsy is not controlled in time, it can easily lead to a state of status epilepticus. Status epilepticus is a very dangerous central nervous system disease. Patients may experience sudden respiratory and circulatory arrest and uncontrollable massive gastrointestinal bleeding. For severe epilepsy patients, it is necessary to promptly administer medications such as diazepam and sodium valproate to terminate the seizures. If status epilepticus occurs, the patient needs to be urgently sent to the ICU for observation and treatment, and effective interventions for various complications must be provided. For example, in the case of cerebral edema caused by epilepsy, medications such as mannitol and glycerol fructose are needed to dehydrate and reduce intracranial pressure. If epilepsy causes acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, treatments to suppress acid, stop bleeding, and maintain blood pressure are required.