Seizures are sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain. These disturbances affect behaviour, movements, and sensations and can lead to loss of consciousness. Seizure disorder is a condition where a person experiences recurring seizures. Understanding whether seizures can be cured or managed depends on various factors, such as the type of seizure and its cause. Read this until the end to learn about what seizures mean, seizure and epilepsy differences, the types of seizures, common causes, seizure treatment options, and if they can be cured entirely.
What Seizure Means
A seizure is a sudden burst of electrical activity in the brain, often described as an “electrical storm.” This activity causes changes in movement, feelings, or consciousness. Seizures happen when groups of brain cells, or neurons, send mixed or rapid signals. These signals interfere with normal brain function.
Seizure and Epilepsy Difference
Many people think seizures and epilepsy are the same, but they are not. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition where a person has recurring, unprovoked seizures. In other words, a person with epilepsy has a seizure disorder, but not everyone with a seizure disorder has epilepsy. For instance, someone could experience seizures because of a temporary brain condition, like a high fever or acute injury. Once the underlying issue is resolved, these people might never have a seizure again. Epilepsy, however, requires lifelong management for most patients.
Types of Seizures
Understanding the seizure classification helps diagnose and treat them. Seizures fall into two primary categories: focal and generalised.
- Focal Seizures: These begin in one specific area of the brain. Symptoms may include strange sensations, repetitive movements, or feelings of déjà vu. Focal seizures might or might not lead to a loss of consciousness.
- Generalised Seizures: These affect both sides of the brain simultaneously. Common types include absence seizures (which cause brief staring spells) and tonic-clonic seizures (which involve stiffening and jerking of the body). Generalised seizures often lead to loss of consciousness and can last for a few minutes.
What Causes a Seizure Attack?
Seizure attacks can occur for various reasons. Some common causes include:
- Genetic conditions
- Brain injury
- Brain infections like meningitis
- Blood sugar levels
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Alcohol withdrawal
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Flashing lights
5 Seizure Treatment Options
Several treatments exist to manage seizures. Treatment depends on the cause, type of seizure, and response to medications. Common seizure treatment options include:
- Medications: Anti-seizure medications, also known as anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), are the first line of treatment for most seizure disorders. AEDs work by stabilising electrical activity in the brain, reducing the chance of seizures. Doctors adjust dosage based on how well a patient responds.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Avoiding known seizure triggers, getting enough sleep, and managing stress can help reduce the frequency of seizure attacks. Lifestyle changes like regular exercise and a balanced diet may also support brain health.
- Surgical Options: For people who don’t respond to medications (refractory or intractable epilepsy), surgery might be an option. Surgery aims to remove the part of the brain causing seizures or disconnect certain areas to prevent seizure spread.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): This treatment involves implanting a device that sends electrical impulses to the brain via the vagus nerve in the neck. VNS helps reduce seizure frequency in some people with difficult-to-control epilepsy.
- Dietary Therapy: The ketogenic diet, high in fats and low in carbohydrates, helps reduce seizure frequency in some people. Doctors may recommend this diet for patients who do not respond well to medication.
Can Seizures Be Cured?
In many cases, seizures can be well-controlled with treatment, but achieving a complete cure is rare. Here’s what current treatments offer:
- Seizure Control: For around 60-70% of people with epilepsy, medications can control seizures effectively. They can live without experiencing seizures for years as long as they follow their treatment plan.
- Surgical Cure: Surgery can cure cases where the seizures originate from a specific part of the brain. This option is available mainly for patients who have tried multiple medications unsuccessfully. Surgery can eliminate seizures if doctors successfully remove the brain area causing the issue.
- Temporary Seizures: Some seizures happen due to temporary conditions like high fever, infections, or withdrawal from alcohol or drugs. Once these issues are treated, these seizures might never return. In such cases, seizures are, in a way, “cured” by addressing the underlying cause.
Conclusion
Seizures result from electrical disturbances in the brain and vary in cause and type. While most people with seizure disorders can control seizures with treatment, a complete cure remains elusive for many. For some, addressing the cause or undergoing surgery can eliminate seizures. However, in many cases, management rather than cure remains the goal.
If you or someone you know is suffering from seizures, do not hesitate to consult with a neurologist at the Center for Brain and Spine.
