What are the clinical manifestations of epilepsy?

Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Epilepsy is caused by abnormal discharges of brain cells, and the symptoms and clinical manifestations vary depending on the area of discharge. Main symptoms can include sudden loss of consciousness, rigidity followed by clonic convulsions, and may also involve cyanosis or purpling of the face, tongue biting, frothing at the mouth, urinary incontinence, dilated pupils, continuing for several seconds to minutes before stopping. This condition is called a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Some patients may also experience sudden brief loss of consciousness and interruption of ongoing actions, with a blank stare and unresponsive to calls. They may perform simple automatic actions like swallowing or chewing. Generally, there is no falling, and the patient has no memory of the episode afterwards. This type of seizure is known as an absence seizure. Additionally, some may experience rigidity and clonic convulsions in one limb or a localized area, etc.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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What precautions should epilepsy patients take?

Patients with epilepsy should pay attention to establishing regular daily routines and avoid staying up late. They should not participate in potentially dangerous activities such as climbing or swimming. Also, they should minimize consumption of stimulating beverages like cola, Sprite, Red Bull, and coffee. It is advisable to eat more vegetables and fruits and reduce the intake of spicy and stimulating foods. Maintaining a regular life schedule is important, and playing electronic devices or using mobile phones for extended periods should be avoided. All sorts of exciting situations can easily trigger an epileptic seizure, so it is crucial to eat regularly without becoming too hungry or too full. Moreover, taking anti-epileptic drugs regularly and following medical guidance from doctors at the hospital is necessary.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Precursors to epileptic seizures in children

The majority of childhood epilepsy seizures occur without any precursors, as they arise and cease suddenly with stereotyped movements. However, some seizures are preceded by prodromes, such as sudden onset of consciousness disturbances, or fainting symptoms. Other seizures can present with motor dysfunctions, displaying sudden weakness or fatigue in certain limbs, followed by an epileptic attack. Additionally, some may experience abnormal sensations, such as numbness in a specific area or visual disturbances, including sudden flashes or even visual distortions, leading to convulsive seizures.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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What causes epilepsy relapses?

Epilepsy is a clinical syndrome caused by highly synchronized abnormal discharges of brain neurons due to various reasons. Clinically, it is characterized by episodic, transient, repetitive, and stereotyped manifestations, making recurrence a characteristic of the disease itself. The location of the neurons with abnormal discharges and the range of the abnormal discharge waves vary, leading to different forms of seizure symptoms in patients. These can manifest in various ways, including sensory, motor, consciousness, psychiatric, behavioral, and autonomic nervous system dysfunctions, and may occur simultaneously. Each seizure and each type of seizure process is referred to as an epileptic seizure. Of course, a patient can experience one or several types of epileptic seizures, thus, recurrence is a characteristic of epilepsy itself.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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What are the dietary precautions for epilepsy?

People with epilepsy should avoid consuming stimulating beverages such as cola, Sprite, Red Bull, and coffee. They should eat more vegetables and fruits and less spicy and stimulating foods, paying attention to these dietary recommendations. Additionally, maintaining a regular lifestyle is important; avoiding prolonged use of electronic devices is advised as these, along with previously mentioned beverages like cola and Red Bull, can overexcite the brain and trigger epileptic seizures. It is also imperative to take anti-epileptic drugs regularly under the guidance of a doctor and not to miss any doses.

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Written by Yuan Jun Li
Neurology
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Do you need to take medication for epilepsy long-term?

Patients with epilepsy are clinically divided into primary and secondary types. Primary epilepsy is mainly treated with medication, and most patients require long-term use of anti-epileptic drugs to control seizures. Some patients can completely control the symptoms of epilepsy with medication; if they are seizure-free for three to five years, it is referred to as clinical cure, and they may discontinue the medication. For patients experiencing primary epilepsy seizures, treatment focuses on the cause of the condition, such as common diseases like cerebrovascular diseases, including cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, brain tumors, encephalitis, brain parasite infections, and cranial trauma. After the primary disease is cured, symptoms of epilepsy may be controlled in these patients. If some patients still experience epilepsy seizures after treatment, they should continue taking long-term oral anti-epileptic drugs to control the seizures.