EPILEPSY: Diagnosis, Treatment, & What To Do During Attack

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Here are the diagnosis, treatments, and must-to-do things during epilepsy attack

EPILEPSY – Take note of these diagnosis, treatments, and things to do during the time when a person is having an epilepsy attack.

This disorder concentrates in the central nervous system of the body. In a previous article, the symptoms and causes were enumerated. In addition, the types of this disorder were also explained. Now, here are the diagnosis, treatments, and things to do during the attack.

epilepsy diagnosis treatment what to do
Photo courtesy of EpilepsyAction

DIAGNOSIS

The doctor may conduct a test for your behavior, motor abilities, mental function, and other areas. This is called a neurological exam that will determine your condition and the type of epilepsy you may have. You will also undergo blood tests. This will provide information about the signs of infections, genetic conditions or other conditions that may be associated with seizures.

Other tests may be suggested by the doctors to detect brain abnormalities such as:

  • Electroencephalogram (EEG)
  • High-density EEG
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scan
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Functional MRI (fMRI)
  • Positron emission tomography (PET)
  • Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT)
  • Neuropsychological tests

TREATMENTS

Based on the article from WebMD, there are three possible ways to treat epilepsy. Medications can be used depending on the case, however, it is difficult to find the right combination. Aside from this, there are also possible side effects.

In order to have a better result, follow these steps when taking medications for epilepsy:

  • Take the given medications to you exactly as prescribed.
  • Before switching to a generic version, other prescribed drugs, over-the-counter drugs or herbal remedies, always call your doctor.
  • Don’t stop taking the medicines without the doctor’s advice.
  • When you notice new or increased feelings of depression, suicidal thoughts, or unusual changes in your mood or behaviors, notify your doctor immediately.
  • Notify the doctor also if you have migraines because they can give anti-epileptic medications that can prevent your migraines as well.

What to do during an epilepsy attack?

According to the Epilepsy Society, here are the steps to do during the attack:

  1. Stay calm.
  2. Look around if the person in a dangerous place. If not, let them where they are but move objects like furniture away from them.
  3. Take note of the time the seizure started
  4. Stay with them whether they collapse or seem blank or confused. Gently assist them to a safer place but speak quietly and calmly.
  5. If they collapsed, cushion their head with something soft.
  6. Don’t hold them down and don’t put anything in their mouth.
  7. Check the time again and if a seizure doesn’t stop after 5 minutes, call the medical personnel or ambulance.
  8. After the seizure has stopped, put them gently into the recovery position. Then, check their breathing if it’s returning to normal.
  9.  Make sure that there is nothing blocking their airways as you check their mouth. When their breathing still sounds difficult after the seizure has stopped, call for an ambulance.
  10. Don’t leave them until they are fully recovered.

READ ALSO: DEMENTIA – Symptoms & Causes of This Brain-Related Disease

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