For those of you who don’t know epilepsy is a condition that
causes one to seizure or have an episode.
Some call this a brain disorder, but that just sends to many negative
vibes for my taste. For today’s portion of Health and Fitness on the blog I wanted to talk about the health aspect of Epilepsy and just introduce it a little bit.
causes one to seizure or have an episode.
Some call this a brain disorder, but that just sends to many negative
vibes for my taste. For today’s portion of Health and Fitness on the blog I wanted to talk about the health aspect of Epilepsy and just introduce it a little bit.
“In epilepsy, the normal
pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations,
emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of
consciousness. The epilepsies have many possible causes and there are several
types of seizures. Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of neuron activity—from
illness to brain damage to abnormal brain development—can lead to seizures.
Epilepsy may develop because of an abnormality in brain wiring, an imbalance of
nerve signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, changes in important
features of brain cells called channels, or some combination of these and other
factors. Having a single seizure as the result of a high fever (called febrile
seizure) or head injury does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy.
Only when a person has had two or more seizures is he or she considered to have
epilepsy. A measurement of electrical activity in the brain and brain scans
such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography are common diagnostic
tests for epilepsy.
pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations,
emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of
consciousness. The epilepsies have many possible causes and there are several
types of seizures. Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of neuron activity—from
illness to brain damage to abnormal brain development—can lead to seizures.
Epilepsy may develop because of an abnormality in brain wiring, an imbalance of
nerve signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, changes in important
features of brain cells called channels, or some combination of these and other
factors. Having a single seizure as the result of a high fever (called febrile
seizure) or head injury does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy.
Only when a person has had two or more seizures is he or she considered to have
epilepsy. A measurement of electrical activity in the brain and brain scans
such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography are common diagnostic
tests for epilepsy.
Once epilepsy is diagnosed,
it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible. For about 70 percent of
those diagnosed with epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with modern medicines
and surgical techniques. Some drugs are more effective for specific types of
seizures. An individual with seizures, particularly those that are not easily
controlled, may want to see a neurologist specifically trained to treat
epilepsy. In some children, special diets may help to control seizures when
medications are either not effective or cause serious side effects.” (Source)
it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible. For about 70 percent of
those diagnosed with epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with modern medicines
and surgical techniques. Some drugs are more effective for specific types of
seizures. An individual with seizures, particularly those that are not easily
controlled, may want to see a neurologist specifically trained to treat
epilepsy. In some children, special diets may help to control seizures when
medications are either not effective or cause serious side effects.” (Source)
So, now that you have some
facts about this condition, what does it actually feel like living with
Epilepsy? Well in my opinion, I try to
live as normal of a life as possible. My
only difference from anyone else is I take meds that destroy my liver and my
brain likes to have a temper tantrum every once in a while. Luckily my epilepsy is not as bad as the
violent cases and I do not have grand mal seizures. My seizures don’t last very long, but I have
beaten myself up a few times since I’ve been diagnosed. The worst part is afterwards your body just
shuts down and you feel so incredibly tired and weak. I haven’t had a seizure in quite some time,
and I’d like to keep it that way. I’m
not going to lie it’s scary not knowing how you ended up on the floor when you
were just taking a shower or the last thing you remember is putting an earring
in.
facts about this condition, what does it actually feel like living with
Epilepsy? Well in my opinion, I try to
live as normal of a life as possible. My
only difference from anyone else is I take meds that destroy my liver and my
brain likes to have a temper tantrum every once in a while. Luckily my epilepsy is not as bad as the
violent cases and I do not have grand mal seizures. My seizures don’t last very long, but I have
beaten myself up a few times since I’ve been diagnosed. The worst part is afterwards your body just
shuts down and you feel so incredibly tired and weak. I haven’t had a seizure in quite some time,
and I’d like to keep it that way. I’m
not going to lie it’s scary not knowing how you ended up on the floor when you
were just taking a shower or the last thing you remember is putting an earring
in.
I was diagnosed in
2005. Almost 10 years ago I found out
that my life would change in that split second.
Just like any other sickness/condition whether terminal or non terminal
I hope they find a cure. Medication
helps keep it under control, but at the same time, it doesn’t cure it, and
thanks to my medication I have to be on more medications to keep my liver and
calcium up to par.
2005. Almost 10 years ago I found out
that my life would change in that split second.
Just like any other sickness/condition whether terminal or non terminal
I hope they find a cure. Medication
helps keep it under control, but at the same time, it doesn’t cure it, and
thanks to my medication I have to be on more medications to keep my liver and
calcium up to par.
As of today, I am kicking
epilepsy’s butt and not letting it define me.
epilepsy’s butt and not letting it define me.
P.S. I’m on a business trip with my 9-5 job so if I’m not responding to emails/comments please don’t think I’m ignoring you! I will answer all comments and emails when I am able to.
