Contents:
- Medical Video: The Difference between Seizures and Epilepsy
- What is the difference between seizures and epilepsy?
- What you need to know about epilepsy
- How to help a person who has a seizure?
Medical Video: The Difference between Seizures and Epilepsy
Hearing the word seizure and epilepsy, certainly makes you think that these two things are very related. You certainly are not wrong, but do not compare seizures with epilepsy. If you see someone having a seizure, it is not certain that he has epilepsy. But epilepsy itself is usually characterized by seizures. Nearly 1% of the world's population is at risk for epilepsy, according to a study conducted by the University of California at San Francisco.
What is the difference between seizures and epilepsy?
Epilepsy or what is known by the public as ayan, is a condition characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures. Not all seizures are epilepsy, but usually every epilepsy is always characterized by seizures. In general, epilepsy is characterized by seizures without precipitating factors or due to acute brain disease.
While seizures occur as a result of abnormal electrical bursts in the brain resulting in disturbances in movement, sensation, awareness, or odd behavior without realizing the sufferer. The human brain consists of trillions of nerve cells that are interconnected with electrical explosions mediated by chemicals called neurotransmitters. This electric explosion does not only occur in the brain, but also in the muscles so we are aware of a movement. If there is a disruption in the neurotransmitter, there is a seizure.
Seizures are not just jerking movements throughout the body that are commonly known to the public. Seizures can also be in the form of disappearing consciousness or momentarily dazed, eyes glaring at a glance, or other signs that the sufferer does not realize even the people around him. If a child has a high fever and then has a seizure, it cannot be diagnosed as epilepsy. So seizures and epilepsy are not always the same even the causes are different.
What you need to know about epilepsy
The diagnosis of epilepsy is usually based on a thorough examination through interviews, physical examinations, and investigations. Generally, interviews are conducted with people around the patient such as family, friends, or others, because epilepsy sufferers often cannot remember their seizures.
If the doctor needs a supportive examination, the patient will have a brain record or electroencephalogram (EEG), radiological examination in the form of Computed Tomography or what is known as CT scan, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). In addition, the doctor may check the laboratory to determine the type and medication that will be given to the patient.
Epilepsy patients who routinely control the doctor and take medication, generally will be able to move well 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, alcohol and drug consumption, and drug factors. Drug factors, for example, patients try to take drugs other than drugs prescribed by doctors.
If epilepsy occurs in children, the child becomes difficult to concentrate until he may experience an accident in the form of repeated falls, due to momentary loss of consciousness. Not surprisingly, seizures and epilepsy are closely related.
How to help a person who has a seizure?
First, don't panic. Move dangerous items near the patient, for example glassware, knives, or other dangerous items. When a person has a seizure, do not try to move his position unless the patient is in danger. Next, loosen the collar of the shirt or belt to make breathing easier. Do not put anything in the patient's mouth, because it can actually hurt the patient. Observe how long the person has seizures and immediately takes them to the nearest health service.
Now you know, differences in seizures and epilepsy. Although it's not wrong to associate seizures and epilepsy, you should know the difference between the two if separated from different medical conditions.
