Epilepsy: 

Epilepsy is a chronic (long-term) condition, also known as the "seizure disorder" in common terms. In epilepsy, there are sudden and uncontrolled discharges in the neurons of the brain. As a result, the patient experiences involuntary muscle contractions, sensory changes, and alterations in consciousness.Epilepsy occurs in the form of seizures, and between seizures, the patient is generally healthy. Someone who experiences only one seizure in their life is not considered an epilepsy patient.

The Symptoms of Epilepsy Can Vary Depending on the Type of Seizures and May Include:

Pre-seizure symptoms (aura):

• Sudden intense fear and anxiety
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Visual changes
• Partial loss of control over hands and feet movements
• Feeling of being detached from the body.
• Headache

During a seizure, various symptoms may indicate that a seizure is occurring:

• Confusion following loss of consciousness.
• Involuntary muscle contractions
• Foaming at the mouth
• Falling
• Strange taste in the mouth
• Teeth clenching
• Biting the tongue
• Rapid eye movements
• Making strange and meaningless sounds
• Loss of control over bowel and bladder
• Sudden mood swings

It's essential to note that the duration of these symptoms can vary from a few seconds to 15 minutes. If someone experiences these symptoms or signs, it may indicate the occurrence of a seizure. It is crucial for individuals with epilepsy to seek appropriate medical attention and treatment to manage their condition effectively.

Epilepsy Treatment

The treatment of epilepsy involves both medication and surgery. The most crucial aspect of epilepsy treatment is the regular and careful use of selected medications to stop seizures. When the prescribed medications are used regularly and carefully, four out of five patients will experience a cessation of seizures.

As each antiepileptic drug has a different mechanism of action, the choice of medication is tailored to the type of seizures the patient is experiencing. The medications, when used in sufficient doses, do not cure the disease, but they provide an effect to prevent or reduce the frequency of epilepsy seizures.
Treatment may continue for a lifetime for some patients, while for some childhood-onset seizures, treatment until the age of 15-20 may be sufficient.

Typically, treatment starts with a single antiepileptic drug, and the dose is gradually increased. If the given medication is insufficient, a second drug may be added to the treatment or the medication may be changed. However, the patient's blood tests are regularly examined to monitor the side effects of the medication. The most common side effects of epilepsy medication include:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Imbalance

Epilepsy is a chronic condition for most types, and some patients may require lifelong medication. Regular follow-up by a neurology specialist is essential.

Approximately 30% of epilepsy patients do not see any change in seizure frequency despite all types of drug treatments. For this group, referred to as "drug-resistant epilepsy," surgical treatment is applied.

In epilepsy surgery, for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who still experience seizure activity that limits their quality of life despite using at least two antiepileptic drugs in high doses for a year, the aim is to remove or suppress the area triggering the epileptic seizures through surgical procedures.

After surgery, the patient continues to take their medications. Over time, the medications are gradually reduced and discontinued. Post-surgery, the patient requires regular check-ups at specific intervals.

Is Complete Recovery Possible?

If it is not highly resistant, in primary epilepsies, with the correct diagnosis and the right medication, the epilepsy can completely disappear within 2-5 years. However, in epilepsies caused by any underlying condition, unfortunately, the medication needs to be taken for a lifetime because there is damage in that particular area of the brain, and the abnormal signals persist.

Should One Not Intervene When Someone is Having a Seizure?

If the person loses consciousness during the seizure, they will not remember the seizure. Additionally, seizures can last from 1-2 seconds to several hours. Seizures can become a continuous state and can even pose a life-threatening situation. Therefore, it is important to place the person having a seizure in a safe position, refrain from actions that may cause harm, and seek medical assistance.

Are There Different Types of Epilepsy?

In epilepsy, the disturbances in brain signals can occur in a specific region or throughout the entire brain. Depending on the location of the abnormal signals in the brain, the type and severity of the seizure can vary. This means that not all epilepsy patients experience seizures with foaming at the mouth and convulsions on the ground. There are many different types of seizures, ranging from a simple jerk of a limb or turning of the head to various emotional manifestations. For example, a patient may display aggressive behaviors, be unaware of their surroundings, or perceive something they have never experienced before.

Does Surgery Have a Place in Epilepsy Treatment?

In some resistant cases and very specific types of epilepsy, epilepsy surgery is performed. If the abnormal signals originate from a single area of the brain, that area can be made inactive through surgery. Epilepsy patients should not assume that surgery will automatically cure them, as surgery is only successful in certain types of epilepsy. If a specific epilepsy type can be controlled with medication, it means the treatment is successful; therefore, regular medication under a doctor's supervision is essential for success in managing the disease.