Symptoms of Epilepsy and Complications

  • Epilepsy
    Epilepsy is a chronic disorder marked by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Many people with epilepsy have more than one type of seizure and may have other symptoms of neurological problems as well. According to WHO, it affects 50 million people worldwide. 75% of the people with epilepsy in low and middle income countries do not get treatment for Epilepsy
Submitted by Sanjog bhagat on 21 July 2016

What are the signs and symptoms of Epilepsy?

  • Temporary confusion
  • Uncontrollable jerking movements of arms and legs (commonly referred to as seizures)
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Staring spell

What are the complications of Epilepsy?

  • Falling: which causes injury to your head or break a bone
  • Drowning : if you have epilepsy you are 15 to 19 times more likely to drown while swimming or bathing than rest of the population
  • Accidents : A seizure that causes either loss of awareness or control can be dangerous if you are driving a car or operating  heavy machinery or equipments
  • Pregnancy complications : seizures during pregnancy will be dangerous to both mother and baby. Antiepileptic medications increase the risk of birth defects. It is better to consult a doctor if you are planning to conceive. Careful monitoring during pregnancy will be imperative to ensure  a healthy baby.
  • Emotional health problems : Epilepsy persons are more likely to have psychological problems such as depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies.
  • Status epilepticus : It occurs if the person is in a state of continuous seizure activity for more than 5 minutes. People with status epilepticus have increased risk of permanent brain damage and death.
  • Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy : Cause is not known, but it may occur due to heart or respiratory conditions.
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Mon, 08/14/2017 - 21:17

Stories

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  • Is Epilepsy Surgery a Safe Option?
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    Managing the Double A - Autism and Adolescence
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  • Jacqueline Colaco on a wheel chair, in white at the TCS 10K with some of the other participants
    Adding Abilities with Advancing Age
    Jacqueline Colaco, a feisty 68, does not permit the senior citizen tag to prevent her from pushing her boundaries, acquiring new skills, participating in a range of community activities. She is active on Facebook and has even shaved her head in empathy with her school classmate who was on chemo for cancer! Be ever young at heart. At sixty I thought I’d retire from life... Wanting to go into oblivion with a bang, I gathered about two hundred of my nearest and dearest and celebrated this diamond…
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    I Like It When People Share a Place With Everyone (Video Interview)
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  • Epilepsy Survivor for 4 decades Ignatius Misquitta with his wife and daughters
    Sustaining Employment With My Epilepsy Has Been A Constant Struggle
    Ignatius Misquitta, 56, who has been battling epilepsy attacks for over four decades, looks at how epilepsy shaped his life and humorously recounts how his seizures landed him in a soup many times. And why he wears a bracelet. My first seizure at 12 months was so severe that the doctor declared me dead. Yet, my father gave me mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and pumped my heart, over and over. I have since survived to tell this tale. At first seizures were limited to just 2-3 a year (blank spells…
  • Epilepsy treatment options and other Frequently Asked Questions
    How to Stop Epileptic Seizures?
    And questions on seizures, ketogenic diet, depression answered by Dr Joy Desai, a Consultant Neurologist in Mumbai and on the Committee of the Bombay Chapter of The Indian Epilepsy Association. #AskTheDoctor series 1.  How effective is surgery for epilepsy cure? Surgery is effective in well selected patients. Patients are evaluated for surgery on 3 conditions: Is their epilepsy arising from one spot in the brain? Has testing confirmed this site and will it be possible to intervene and…
  • Rashmi Satam - Mountaineering with Epilepsy
    With My Epilepsy in Control, I go Mountain Climbing
    Rashmi Satam, 30, a passionate mountain climber and adventure sports enthusiast, does not let epilepsy obstruct her daring streak. Narrating her experience, she says it is crucial to control seizures and convulsions to be able to scale the mountains of your dreams. In 2000, when I was in the 7th grade, I got my first epilepsy attack. I was going out for a function, when suddenly I began feeling weak and dizzy and lost consciousness. My body began quivering and I had convulsions for nearly 30 to…
  • Tips for the Special Needs Parent - A Parent Shares
    Janaki Balakrishnan is not just a parent whose son has multiple disabilities, but also a Special educator and an active member of parent support organisations. She shares her observations of parents who are in similar situations and what they should ideally avoid for stress-free caregiving roles I am a parent of a young adult with special needs and live in Chennai. My 22 year old son (only child), is deaf and mute and has multiple issues such as cerebral palsy, seizures, profound mental…