The human brain is made up of billions of nerve cells called neurons. These neurons are responsible for how the brain communicates within itself and to the rest of the body by sending tiny bioelectrical currents to and from each other. This action is dependent on healthy brainwave oscillations from both the delivering neuron and the receiving neuron.
When the electrical discharge becomes abnormal is when a seizure takes place. There are many types and causes of seizures. The most common are caused by a medical condition, such as epilepsy, while others are a result of chronic drug or alcohol misuse or a brain injury (TBI).
Seizures From Health Conditions
Seizure activity as a consequence of health related issues are associated with:
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dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
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diabetes
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inflammation of the brain or encephalitis
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epilepsy
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infection of the brain membranes or meningitis
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stroke
Other Factors and Causes
Seizure activity can also be caused by other unclear reasons that include factors such as:
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side effects from medication
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TBI or concussion
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poor nutrition and a lack of calories
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insufficient sleep
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severe stress and anxiety
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alcohol or drug issues
Types of Seizures
Seizures can be expressed in the brain throughout different regions and how it is presented determines how doctors classify them into groups.
There are five general groups of seizures:
Absence seizures
Sometimes referred to as “petit mal” seizures will result in a person starring blankly into space or blinking rapidly for several seconds.
Tonic-clonic seizures
This type of seizure are known as “grand mal” seizures and result in a person falling down with uncontrollable muscle spasms, jerking motions and may experience a loss of consciousness. Once they recover there is a feeling of being tried and run down.
Generalized seizures
This seizure type involves abnormal electrical activity in both hemispheres or sides of the brain. They can be either a tonic-clonic or an absent seizure.
Focal seizures
Focal seizures are also known as partial seizures and occur on only one region of the brain. The symptoms associated with this type of seizure have to do with what part of the brain is affected. Feelings, movement and sensations can each be negatively impacted.
Focal seizures may result in:
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taste or smell disturbances
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hallucinations
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uncontrollable repetitive jerking movements
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becoming limp or stiff
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becoming confused
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seeing flashing or colored lights
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screaming or crying out
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numbness or tingling in limbs
Prevention
The best way to prevent a seizure for those with epilepsy is to stay the course once a treatment plan is working. Make sure to carefully read all new medications like antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and take them only as directed by your doctor. Report back to your doctor of any changes that take place once on a medication to maximize or improve it’s effectiveness.
For those with diabetes, making sure to keep your blood sugar level stable at all times will help reduce the likelihood of having a seizure.
Avoiding the misuse of alcohol and drugs altogether is a good common sense practice.
Treatments
Some people only experience one seizure and won’t need medication or ongoing treatment. But, if seizures continue your doctor may suggest taking a AED, which is effective in stopping seizures in 70% of cases.
When medications don’t work on focal seizures, then resection surgery might be recommended by your doctor. This involves removing any abnormal tissue that may be causing the seizure.
Another type surgery for seizures would be a disconnection, that involves separating the seizure prone brain tissue from the rest of the surrounding area.
Another intervention involves wearing a device that is implanted and produces deep brain stimulation, responsive neuro or vagal nerve stimulation. This is called neuromodulation.
Neurofeedback
This EEG computer to brain interphase modality can help reduce the intensity and frequency of all types of seizures for some people. This therapy can calm brainwave activity throughout the brain while being used on people on or off medication. This noninvasive and nonpharmacological approach works to effectively normalize maladaptive brainwave activity through a host of retraining and resetting methods using a tiny subliminal radio wave frequency to facilitate lasting changes.
Sudden and random abnormal changes in our electrical activity causes seizures. They can be experienced differently from one person to another as a result of a brain injury, medical condition like, epilepsy, dementia, diabetes or neuroinflammation. Sometimes contributing factors like severe chronic stress or alcohol and drug misuse can lead to seizures.
Most treatment plans can include AED medications, neuromodulation devices and neurofeedback depending upon how long and the severity of the seizures.
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A Balanced Brain is a Better Brain-