It is very important for people with neurological problems and their caretakers to know the difference between seizures and epilepsy. While often used interchangeably, these terms refer to distinct phenomena, each with its own implications for diagnosis, treatment, and management. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the difference between seizures and epilepsy, discuss the causes and symptoms of each, and clarify the role of neurology in their treatment.
What is a Seizure?
A seizure is a quick electrical disturbance in the brain that can’t be stopped. It can change how people act, move, feel, and even their level of awareness. Seizures can vary widely in severity and duration, ranging from brief lapses in attention or muscle jerks to prolonged convulsions and loss of consciousness. Importantly, experiencing a single seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy.
Seizures are broadly categorized into two types: focal and generalized.
- Focal Seizures: These start in one part of the brain and can be further broken down into focal seizures with preserved awareness (used to be called simple partial seizures) and focal seizures with impaired awareness (used to be called complex partial seizures).
- Generalized Seizures: These involve abnormal electrical activity in both hemispheres of the brain from the outset. Examples include absence seizures (brief lapses in awareness), tonic-clonic seizures (involving both stiffening and jerking movements), and myoclonic seizures (sudden, brief muscle jerks).
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy, on the other hand, is a long-term neurological disease marked by seizures that happen for no reason. Millions of people around the world have this issue, which is one of the most common neurological problems. With epilepsy, a person has had at least two unprovoked seizures that happened more than 24 hours apart. If there is a high risk of more seizures, the diagnosis can be made after one episode.
Epilepsy is not a single illness but a group of illnesses that can show up in very different ways. Some people with epilepsy may have seizures all the time, which makes their daily lives very hard, while others may not have any seizures for long periods of time. Epilepsy patients can have very different seizures in terms of how bad they are, what kind they are, and how often they happen.
The Causes of Seizures and Epilepsy
Understanding the underlying causes of seizures and epilepsy is key to distinguishing between the two. There are many things that can cause seizures, and many of them have nothing to do with epilepsy. Some common causes include:
- Fever: Especially in children, high fevers can trigger febrile seizures.
- Head Injury: Brain injuries that are bad enough to hurt can cause seizures.
- Infections: When you have an infection like meningitis or encephalitis, you might have seizures.
- Electrolyte Imbalances: Imbalances in sodium, calcium, or glucose levels can trigger seizures.
- Drug or Alcohol Withdrawal: Sudden cessation of alcohol or certain drugs can result in seizures.
- Stroke: A stroke can disrupt the brain’s electrical activity, leading to seizures.
Epilepsy, however, is often associated with more chronic or genetic conditions, though in many cases, the exact cause may be unknown (idiopathic epilepsy). Some known causes of epilepsy include:
- Genetic Factors: There are types of seizures that are passed down and linked to certain genes.
- Structural Brain Abnormalities: Congenital malformations or damage to the brain can result in epilepsy.
- Head Trauma: Severe head injuries can lead to the development of epilepsy.
- Stroke: A significant cause of epilepsy in older adults, as it can lead to brain damage.
- Brain Infections: Infections like meningitis or encephalitis can cause epilepsy.
- Tumors: Brain tumors, particularly in adults, can cause epilepsy.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The symptoms of epilepsy can vary depending on the type of seizure a person experiences. Some common symptoms of epilepsy include:
- Convulsions: Involuntary muscle contractions and jerking movements, often associated with tonic-clonic seizures.
- Staring Spells: Brief periods where a person appears to be staring into space, typically seen in absence seizures.
- Confusion: Disorientation or confusion after a seizure, known as the postictal state.
- Sensory Disturbances: Sensations that change, like tingling, stiffness, or seeing lights flash, especially in focal seizures.
- Loss of Consciousness: A person may lose consciousness during certain types of seizures, such as generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Diagnosing epilepsy involves a thorough medical history, neurological examination, and various diagnostic tests. The most common test is an electroencephalogram (EEG), which shows how the brain’s electrical activity changes over time. Patterns that aren’t normal and could be signs of epilepsy can be found with this test. Brain imaging, such as MRI or CT scans, may also be used to identify structural abnormalities or other causes of seizures.
Treatment Options
The treatment of seizures and epilepsy typically involves a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, surgery. However, it’s important to understand that South Valley Neurology does not provide surgical or rehabilitation services. Instead, our focus is on the neurological aspects of diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management.
Medication: The first line of treatment for most people with epilepsy is anti-seizure medication (ASM), also known as anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). These medicines work by keeping the brain’s electrical activity stable to stop seizures. It can take a while to find the right medicine and amount because you have to try it out and see what works best.
Lifestyle Modifications: For many people, making changes to their living conditions can greatly lower the number and severity of seizures. This includes getting enough sleep at the same time every night, dealing with stress, staying away from things that are known to cause seizures, and eating well.
Neurostimulation Devices: For patients who do not respond well to medication, neurostimulation devices such as vagus nerve stimulators (VNS) or responsive neurostimulation (RNS) may be recommended. These devices help to control seizures by sending electrical impulses to the brain.
Conclusion
Understanding the distinction between seizures and epilepsy is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment. Seizures can occur for many reasons and do not always indicate epilepsy, whereas epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent seizures. At South Valley Neurology, we are committed to helping our patients navigate these complex conditions with expert care and personalized treatment plans.
We at South Valley Neurology are here to help you and your loved ones if you or they have been diagnosed with a seizure disorder or are showing signs of epilepsy. Our team’s only goal is to help you deal with your illness and make your life better.