Epilepsy is a common condition that can develop at any age and affects millions of people all over the world. In fact, there are over half a million people with epilepsy in the UK, which is around 1 in 100 people.
If you have been experiencing seizures or symptoms that may indicate you may have epilepsy, you may be referred for further testing, such as an MRI scan.
In this article we shall explore epilepsy, including the common symptoms, seizures and how MRI scans can be useful for assessing, diagnosing and monitoring epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder, characterised by recurring and unpredictable seizures, which are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Seizures can vary in severity and may involve a wide range of symptoms, such as convulsions, loss of consciousness, and sensory or emotional disturbances.
While the cause of epilepsy is often unknown, it can be related to genetic factors, brain injuries, infections, tumours, or other medical conditions.
Treatment options include medication, surgery, and lifestyle changes.
The symptoms of epilepsy can vary depending on the type of seizure and the area of the brain affected.
The most common symptoms of epilepsy include:
Not all seizures are related to epilepsy, and not all people with epilepsy experience all of these symptoms. In some cases, seizures can occur without any visible symptoms, making diagnosis more challenging.
There are many different causes for Epilepsy which can be complex and sometimes hard to identify. A person might start having seizures because they have one or more of the following:
Epileptic seizures are sudden and temporary changes in brain activity that can lead to alterations in behaviour, consciousness, movements, sensations, or emotions.
They occur when there is abnormal or excessive electrical activity in the brain, which disrupts the normal functioning of the brain's cells and circuits.
There are many different types of seizures, ranging from mild and brief to severe and prolonged, and their symptoms and duration can vary widely depending on the part of the brain affected and the underlying cause.
Sometimes an individual may get a strange feeling or sensation before the episode and later on may forget and does not remember what happened.
People are diagnosed with epilepsy when they have had two or more seizures. An individual can be diagnosed with Seizures without having Epilepsy but cannot be diagnosed with Epilepsy without having Seizures.
There are two types of seizures:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, commonly know as an MRI scan, is a common test used for diagnosing epilepsy, as it provides detailed images of the brain's structure and activity.
An MRI can be useful for epilepsy diagnosis and monitoring in the following ways:
MRI can identify structural abnormalities in the brain that may be causing seizures, such as tumours, cysts, malformations of the brain, or scars from past injuries.
These abnormalities can be identified by comparing the MRI images to those of a healthy brain.
MRI can be used to evaluate brain function by measuring changes in blood flow, which can indicate areas of increased activity in the brain that may be related to seizures.
By combining MRI with other tests such as an EEG (electroencephalogram), doctors can identify the location of seizures in the brain. This information is important in determining the appropriate treatment for epilepsy.
MRI can also be used to monitor the progress of epilepsy treatment, as it can show changes in the brain that may indicate whether the treatment is working.
Whilst MRI scans are helpful, there is no one test can confirm or rule out a diagnosis of epilepsy.
Often it is a combination of test results, a person’s medical history, and information from those who saw the seizure(s), that is used to reach a diagnosis.
If you have seizure/epilepsy, you may experience discomfort from time to time. Some people may experience them more frequently than the others as every individual has a different representation and symptoms of epilepsy and the frequency of the seizures may vary.
Modern treatment methods, such as medication or surgery may help minimise the frequency and severity of your seizures.
Along with medicines prescribed by your doctor, you also need to take certain precautions in order to avoid any possible injury that can be caused to you while having an episode.
It is equally important to improve the safety of the places that you may frequently visit, including your home, office and others.
Here are some precautions to consider taking:
If you or someone you know is experiencing seizures or any other unusual symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention right away to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment