Epileptic Seizures

Trigger Causes

causas que las desencadenan

Epileptic seizures can be the manifestation of many and varied problems with a diversity of causes such as:

Cerebral tumour.
A malformacion.
Meningitis.
Concussion caused by head trauma.
An excessive intake of drugs or alcohol.
Others.

Sometimes it is thought that the epilepsy may be hereditary and in other cases the reasons for the illness cannot be found.

Why do epileptic seizures happen?

porque se producen las crisis Epileptic seizures are produced by anormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. They can be convulsive or non convulsive.

Risk Factors

factores de riesgo Risk factors which contribute to an increased risk of a seizure

Whether or not an individual could have an epileptic seizure is due to unknown hereditary reasons. There are, however other demonstrable reasons which contribute to an increased risk of having a seizure, some of these increased risks are as follows:

Lack of Sleep: Sleep deprivation or an alteration in sleep patterns. It is always recommended to follow a sleeping pattern which is regular and sufficient according to age (between 7 and 10 hours).

The most frequent epileptic seizures are:

Absence seizures:

The person becomes immobile, has an impairment of consciousness and stares for a few seconds. Sometimes there are eye movements, blinking etc., Recovery is immediate and on many occasions these types of seizures go unnoticed because they are so brief. These types of seizures usually start in childhood or in adolescence. The biggest inconvenience is the frequency with which they happen because they interfere with attention and learning in the child and adolescent.

What should you do when faced with an epileptic seizure?

Remain calm and do not be frightened.
Do not hold the person and do not try to reanimate.
Make sure the person does not hurt him/herself by removing dangerous objects.
Make sure airways are free and not obstructed.
Do not interfere in the person's movements.
Lay on his/her side and put something soft under his/her head.
Advise a doctor/emergency services should the seizure last for more than live minutes or if the seizure repeats.

What you should not do when faced with an epileptic seizure?

You should not start artificial respiration as there is not a risk that the patient will drown with his/her tongue: Not enter anything in the mouth.
Do not shake or try to reanimate the patient. The seizure has a spontaneous beginning and end.
Do not try to awaken the patient with any substances water, etc, as it will do nothing to control a seizure.
Do not give any medication by mouth. The patient is unconsious and this could provoke suffocation.
Once the seizure has passed the patient does not need a sedative.