Epilepsy Treatment In Pune

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. There are several types of epilepsy, and they are often classified based on the type of seizures, the part of the brain affected, and the underlying cause (if known). Here are some of the main types of epilepsy:

1. Focal Epilepsy (Partial Epilepsy)

Focal seizures start in one area of the brain and can be classified as:

Focal Aware Seizures (Simple Partial Seizures):

These seizures involve a small part of the brain and the person remains conscious during the episode.

Symptoms may include involuntary movements, strange sensations, or emotional changes, such as déjà vu, intense fear, or nausea.

Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures (Complex Partial Seizures):

These seizures involve a larger part of the brain and cause a loss of awareness.

The person may stare blankly, perform repetitive movements (e.g., lip-smacking or hand-wringing), and may not remember the seizure afterward.

2. Generalized Epilepsy

Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain and can cause loss of consciousness. Some common types of generalized seizures include:

Tonic-Clonic Seizures (Grand Mal Seizures):

This is one of the most recognizable forms of epilepsy, characterized by stiffening of the body (tonic phase) followed by rhythmic jerking (clonic phase). The person usually loses consciousness and may also lose bladder control or bite their tongue.

Absence Seizures (Petit Mal Seizures):

These seizures cause a brief lapse in consciousness, often just a few seconds. The person may appear to be staring off into space, and there may be subtle movements like rapid eye blinking.

Myoclonic Seizures:

These involve brief, jerky movements of a muscle or group of muscles, often appearing as quick twitches of the arms or legs. The person remains aware during the episode.

Atonic Seizures:

Also known as “drop attacks,” these seizures cause sudden loss of muscle tone, leading to a collapse or fall. The person may lose control of their body and fall to the ground.

3. Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE)

This is the most common form of epilepsy that affects a specific area of the brain called the temporal lobe. Seizures may involve:

Aura: A warning sign before the seizure, which could include strange tastes, smells, feelings of fear or déjà vu, or nausea.

Impaired Awareness: The person may experience a blank stare or repetitive movements, such as lip-smacking or hand rubbing and behavioural arrest.

Memory Issues: TLE can often affect short–term memory, with patients sometimes having difficulty recalling events after the seizure.

4. Absence Epilepsy

Common in children, absence seizures cause brief lapses in awareness and are often mistaken for daydreaming. These seizures typically last only a few seconds and may occur several times a day, affecting the child’s ability to concentrate, especially in school.

5. Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

This type of epilepsy typically starts in adolescence and is characterized by myoclonic seizures (jerking movements) in the early morning, often shortly after waking. These seizures can progress to tonic-clonic seizures over time.

6. Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

This is a rare and severe form of epilepsy that typically starts in childhood. It is characterized by multiple types of seizures, including tonic seizures (muscle stiffening), atonic seizures (loss of muscle tone), and atypical absence seizures. This condition often leads to developmental delays and intellectual disabilities.

7. Frontal Lobe Epilepsy

Seizures originating in the frontal lobe can cause movements or behaviors that seem involuntary, such as abnormal facial expressions, head turning, or motor movements (e.g., kicking, jerking, or waving limbs). These seizures can happen during sleep or wakefulness.

8. Neocortical Epilepsy

This type of epilepsy originates from the outer layer of the brain (the cortex). Seizures can be focal or generalized, and the symptoms vary widely depending on where in the brain the seizure occurs.

9. Reflex Epilepsy

In reflex epilepsy, seizures are triggered by specific external stimuli, such as flashing lights, patterns, or even certain sounds. The person may experience a seizure in response to these triggers.

10. Status Epilepticus

This is a medical emergency where a person experiences a prolonged seizure (lasting more than 5 minutes) or multiple seizures without recovering consciousness in between. It requires immediate medical intervention.

11. Epilepsy Syndromes

Epilepsy syndromes are collections of symptoms and characteristics that include seizures as a major component. Some common epilepsy syndromes include:

Dravet Syndrome: A severe form of epilepsy that begins in infancy with frequent, prolonged seizures.

West Syndrome: A syndrome in young children marked by infantile spasms, developmental regression, and abnormal brain wave patterns.

Lennox Gastaut Syndrome: Presents as a gamut of different types of seizures which evolves as the patient grows up, with some cognitive impairment and characteristic EEG findings.

12. Febrile Convulsion

Children between the age of 6 months to 5 Years can experience seizures with high grade fever. Simple febrile convulsions are not serious, do not have any long term implications and are self resolving. Assessment by an experienced neurologist is required to identify and treat febrile convulsions. Accurate diagnosis and treatment is necessary to avoid unnecessary investigations and anxiety in the family.