Seizures can be a one-time event that can be provoked by some temporary health conditions or some underlying health factors; on the other hand, epilepsy is a result of persistent seizures.

A seizure is abrupt, involuntary and can happen at any time; this is when you experience involuntary jerking of the body, foaming at the mouth or staring into space, which can happen for around 30 seconds to 2 or 5 minutes. Seizures are an indication of an abnormality in the brain, which should be diagnosed to determine if it’s a first seizure vs. epilepsy; then the neurologist can prescribe treatments.

A person who has experienced a seizure does not automatically result in an epilepsy diagnosis; It requires the neurologist to confirm it through evaluations and assessments. For better understanding, this blog has explained the first seizure vs. epilepsy differences; you can read along to know more about it.

Here are some commonly asked questions

Can you explain a seizure?

A seizure may seem like a sudden occurrence on the outside, but on the inside, the brain has a lot of activity going on. It starts with an abnormal surge of electrical activity (signals in the brain used for communication between neurons). This abnormality causes a malfunction of nerve cells, which triggers an involuntary change in body movements, feelings and consciousness.

Seizures can be experienced in two different types

Generalized seizures: This is when a malfunction of electrical activity occurs on all sides of the brain simultaneously, which causes jerking or muscle stiffening.

Focal seizures: This is when a malfunction of electrical activity occurs on one side of the brain, a specific area, which causes an individual to stare blankly into space or not respond to anything.

How is epilepsy or a seizure triggered?

A seizure can be explained as an event, whilst epilepsy can be explained as a condition because it is persistent. As such, there is a slight difference in how they are triggered.

Let’s firstly look at seizure triggers

They are separated into two categories;

Provoked seizures: These types of seizures occur due to temporary conditions such as fever, sleep deprivation, head trauma or severe low blood sugar.

Unprovoked seizures: These can be triggered by underlying conditions such as brain tumours, genetics or a stroke.

Now let’s look at epilepsy triggers.

At this point, the individual has experienced a seizure or epilepsy; in this case, there are triggers that persistently cause the condition, which could be;

Inconsistency in taking medications: The brain may be used to the intake of medication at specific time frames; as such, an irregularity can cause a malfunction in the signals.

Experiencing stress or fatigue: It indirectly causes a trigger by leading to a release of hormones that impact neuron excitement, causing an abnormality.

Indulging in use of substances: The use of substances can lead to an imbalance in brain chemicals, which disrupts electrical activity, hence causing the trigger.

Other health problems: illnesses like brain tumours have the potential to cause scarring or inflammation, which can cause an abnormality.

What happens after the first unprovoked seizure?

An unprovoked seizure is an indication of an abnormality in the body that has to be addressed through diagnosis and treatment. Here is what happens after;

Conducting a medical assessment

The neurologist conducts assessments to find the root cause of the seizure, which involves blood or urine tests, brain imaging, evaluating medical history and conducting physical and neurological exams.

Evaluating seizure recurrence

An individual who has experienced a seizure is assessed to determine their chances of experiencing it again. The doctors may look into factors like any prior brain tumor, any deformity or malfunction in the brain, or seizures that can occur as the individual sleeps.

Evaluating viable treatments

An individual can only receive seizure treatments after evaluation. A person who does not have underlying health conditions that can trigger the seizure is first monitored for some time and also examined to see if it has a high chance of recurring, whilst an individual with underlying health problems starts to undergo a planned treatment. The treatments can be anti-seizure medications, surgical treatments or implantation of devices, and this is mainly dependent on the evaluation by the neurologist.

A safety change and lifestyle adjustment

After a seizure episode, the individual is restricted for the sake of their safety. They may be restricted from driving, avoid standing in high places or near machinery, and their environment is adjusted to make it safe for them.

Bottom line

It’s important to understand that experiencing a seizure is not a guarantee that they will experience it again; it can only be confirmed after thorough evaluation and assessment by the neurologist on whether it is a first seizure vs. epilepsy. The treatments provided are not generalized; they are selected and planned based on the diagnosis, which is why it is important to absolutely involve medical care when a person experiences a seizure, and if it is epilepsy, the doctors provide guidance on the treatment and how one can adjust their life to avoid breakthroughs in their day-to-day lifestyle. First seizure vs epilepsy Ludhiana can be diagnosed and treated at Jhawar Hospital, where Dr Sukhdeep Singh Jhawar and specialists provide patient-centric treatments.

FAQ’s

Can hormonal changes trigger epilepsy?

Hormonal changes can indirectly trigger epilepsy as they cause a change in electrical activity in the brain.

Is it okay to get pregnant when diagnosed with epilepsy?

It is okay for one to get pregnant whilst having epilepsy as long as they work closely with the doctor on how to manage the triggers. The specialist provides guidance and includes close monitoring.

How long do I live with the anti-seizure devices?

This is entirely dependent on the type of device implanted; it can take around 8- 11 years or a lifetime.

At what age is a seizure most prevalent?

They are most prevalent at distinct stages of life: before 5 years old or at an older age of 60.

Do emotions trigger epilepsy?

Emotions can be a trigger for epilepsy, which means the individual was already diagnosed with the condition, but they do not cause a direct trigger from scratch.