Table of contents:
- What is the difference between seizures and epilepsy?
- What you should know about epilepsy
- How to help people who have seizures?
Hearing the words seizures and epilepsy, must make you think that these two things are closely related. You are certainly not wrong, but don't confuse seizures with epilepsy. If you see someone having a seizure, it doesn't necessarily mean that they have epilepsy. However, epilepsy itself is usually characterized by seizures. Nearly 1% of the world's population is at risk of developing epilepsy, according to research conducted by the University of California at San Francisco.
What is the difference between seizures and epilepsy?
Epilepsy, also known as epilepsy, is a condition characterized by spontaneous recurring seizures. Not all seizures are epilepsy, but usually every epilepsy is always characterized by a seizure. In general, epilepsy is characterized by seizures without precipitating factors or due to acute brain disease.
Meanwhile, seizures occur as a result of abnormalities of electrical bursts in the brain resulting in disturbances in movement, sensation, awareness, or odd behavior without the patient realizing it. The human brain is made up of trillions of nerve cells that are interconnected by electric bursts that are mediated by chemicals called neurotransmitters. This electric burst does not only occur in the brain, but also in the muscles so that we are aware of a movement. If there is a disturbance in that neurotransmitter, a seizure occurs.
Seizures are not the only full-body jerking movements that people are familiar with. Seizures can also be in the form of a momentary loss of consciousness or blankness, glaring eyes, or other signs that the sufferer is not aware of and even those around him. If a child has a high fever and seizures, it cannot be diagnosed as epilepsy. So seizures and epilepsy are not always the same, even the causes are different.
What you should know about epilepsy
The diagnosis of epilepsy is usually based on a thorough examination through interviews, physical examination, and investigations. Generally, interviews are conducted with people around the patient such as family, friends, or others, because people with epilepsy often cannot remember the seizures they have had.
If the doctor requires investigations, the patient will have an electroencephalogram (EEG), a radiological examination in the form of Computed Tomography or what is known as a CT-Scan, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). In addition, the doctor may check the laboratory to determine the type and drug that will be given to the patient.
Epilepsy sufferers who routinely go to the doctor and take medication, generally will be able to move properly without being disturbed by seizures. There are several things that can trigger seizures in people with epilepsy, such as lack of sleep, stress, diet, hormonal cycles, consumption of alcohol and drugs, and drug factors. Medicinal factors, for example, the patient tries to take other drugs besides the medicine prescribed by the doctor.
If epilepsy occurs in children, the child becomes difficult to concentrate so that they may experience accidents in the form of repeated falls, due to momentary loss of consciousness. It is not surprising that seizures and epilepsy are closely related.
How to help people who have seizures?
First, don't panic. Move dangerous items that are near the patient, for example glass cups, knives, or other dangerous items. When a person has a seizure, do not try to shift his position unless the patient is in danger. Next, loosen the shirt collar or belt to make breathing easier. Do not put anything in the patient's mouth, as this could injure the patient. Observe how long the person has had seizures and immediately take them to the nearest health care facility.
Now you know, the difference between seizures and epilepsy. Although it is not wrong to associate seizures and epilepsy, you should know the difference between the two when separated from different medical conditions.
