2023-12-26 05:15:00
Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disease (behind migraines and dementia). In France, 600,000 people have epilepsy, half of whom are children. When we talk about the pathology, the image of the convulsive crisis systematically comes up. And it is true that these crises are the most impressive manifestations.
By surprise
The very term epilepsy refers to seizures, as it literally means “attacking by surprise.” Transient epileptic seizures are linked to abnormal electrical activity of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex.
“The basic cell of the nervous system, the neuron can collect information sent by the brain, produce new information and transmit it to other neurons. This data takes the form of electrical discharges, or nerve impulses, which travel through the nerves,” explains Health Insurance. “During an epileptic seizure, this electrical activity increases suddenly and in a disorderly manner. »
There are two main forms of seizures: generalized seizures, linked to discharges spread to the entire brain. These are the best known to the public because they are the most spectacular (with certain manifestations such as stiffness, convulsions, etc.). And partial seizures which originate in a localized area of the brain.
The symptoms are innumerable and as varied as language disorders, manifestations of déjà vu, emotional signs (fear, laughter, ecstasy, etc.), uncontrolled gestures, etc.
How to react to a crisis?
It’s not always easy to adopt the right attitude when faced with a person who loses consciousness, falls suddenly or has convulsive movements. The most urgent thing is to secure the victim. For that :
- Clear the space and keep anything that could hurt her away from her: furniture, objects, tools, heat sources, etc.;
- Place a pillow, cushions or clothing under her head to protect her;
- Remove glasses if the person wears them;
- Loosen his clothes, collar, belt;
- Put it in the side safety position as soon as possible;
- Do not try to transport the person, unless they are in a dangerous place: road, staircase, waterside, etc.
- After the attack, reassure the victim and explain to them what has just happened to them. There is no need to call a doctor or help if the person knows they have epilepsy.
Causes still poorly understood
Sometimes no cause explaining epilepsy is found. The pathology is then called idiopathic. This is more often the case in children than in adults. A genetic track, brain lesions (after head trauma for example) or even an infectious disease of the nervous system (such as meningitis) can also be the triggers.
As for the treatments, they are medicinal in the vast majority of cases and aim to act on the frequency and intensity of attacks. Thanks to them, the disease can be controlled in 60 to 70% of cases.
Isolated crises…
What is less known, however, is that the general public can suffer, under certain conditions, from a single seizure, without it strictly speaking being an epileptic disease.
Thus, a seizure can occur during hypoglycemia in a diabetic person, taking certain so-called “epileptogenic” medications (certain neuroleptics, antidepressants, lithium, etc.) or even the use of substances such as cocaine can be triggers. .
To note : the average lifespan of an epileptic patient is slightly lower than that of the general population, mainly due to the risk of accidental death following an attack…
1703569455
#good #reflexes