Can acquired epilepsy be treated?

Written by Yuan Jun Li
Neurology
Updated on December 20, 2024
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Acquired epilepsy can be treated.

Most cases of acquired epilepsy are due to some organic lesions, also known clinically as secondary epilepsy, primarily treated by addressing the underlying disease. Common clinical conditions include brain organic lesions such as cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, brain tumor, encephalitis, and brain parasitic infections. Systemic diseases like diabetes and hyperparathyroidism can also lead to epilepsy.

If epilepsy persists or if there is a major epileptic seizure, it can lead to brain cell hypoxia and even brain edema in severe cases. When necessary, treatments to protect the brain and reduce intracranial pressure are required. Medications for brain protection include Cytidine Diphosphate Choline and Lacosamide, while drugs to lower blood pressure mainly include Mannitol, Glycerol Fructose, and Furosemide. Most patients potentially can be carefully cured through the treatment of the underlying disease, and if seizures persist after the treatment of the primary disease, antiepileptic drugs should be administered.

(The use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)

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Can epilepsy patients drink water frequently in their daily life?

Patients with epilepsy can often drink water in their daily lives, but they should avoid drinking water during the acute phase of a seizure to prevent aspiration. Patients with epilepsy generally need to take anti-epileptic drugs for a long time to prevent seizures, such as carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, gabapentin, etc. Drinking water frequently does not affect the patient's condition. Moreover, drinking water frequently helps to dilute the viscosity in the blood and lower blood lipids, thereby preventing cerebral vascular accidents. In addition to drinking water, patients with epilepsy can also eat more fruits and vegetables, which contain abundant vitamins and trace elements that nourish nerve cells. Furthermore, patients with epilepsy should avoid climbing heights and coming into contact with dangerous environments such as ponds and lakesides.

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Written by Shi De Quan
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What is an effective treatment for epilepsy?

To effectively treat epilepsy, it is crucial to adhere to the principles of medication use and cessation. First, epilepsy medication should generally be administered for one to two years without seizures before gradually reducing the dose. If seizures reoccur after dose reduction, or if there is significant worsening on electroencephalography (EEG), the dosage should be restored. If switching medications, take both medications concurrently for about a week, then gradually reduce the original medication to cessation while increasing the new medication to an effective dose. These are the principles of medication exchange and use. Then, consider the principles for attempting medication cessation. Generally, medication should not be ceased any earlier than one year and abrupt cessation should be avoided to prevent epilepticus status. If there is clear organic brain disease, persistent positive neurological signs, or continuous mental disorders with abnormal EEG readings, lifelong medication may be necessary. Some suggest that individuals older than 30 should be cautious about stopping medication. Since the recurrence rate upon cessation can exceed 50%, lifelong medication may be necessary.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
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Early Symptoms of Baby Epilepsy

The early symptoms of epilepsy in babies include excessive sweating on the head during feeding and sleep. Due to the irritation of the sweat, the child likes to shake their head, which causes friction on the back of the head, leading to hair loss over time. Additionally, the child appears restless and easily wakes up during sleep. If parents notice these symptoms of epilepsy, they should seek treatment for their child early to avoid delays and recurrent conditions.

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What are the early symptoms of epilepsy in children?

Epilepsy is a particularly common chronic disease in life. If the brain is underdeveloped and there are neurological disorders, it can cause epilepsy. What are the early symptoms of childhood epilepsy? The manifestations of a child's epileptic seizure are diverse, but all have the characteristics of sudden onset, sudden cessation, and periodic attacks. Common types in children include major seizures, absence minor seizures, and benign childhood epilepsy. During a major seizure, the child suddenly loses consciousness, breathing stops, the complexion turns cyanotic, the pupils dilate, the limbs stiffen, and the hands clench into fists, then switching to paroxysmal convulsions, foaming at the mouth, with the attack generally lasting 1-5 minutes. Children with absence seizures appear to suddenly lose consciousness, stop their activities, and stare upward or roll their eyes, but they do not fall down or convulse, lasting 1-10 seconds, with consciousness quickly recovering after the attack. Benign childhood epilepsy seizures often involve twitching of one side of the face, lips, and tongue, possibly accompanied by abnormal sensations in those areas, inability to speak, and drooling, typically with clear consciousness, and more frequently occurring at night.

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Is primary epilepsy easy to treat?

Primary epilepsy is treatable. Primary epilepsy may be related to fetal asphyxia, ischemia, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or psychological stimulation during the fetal period. Primary epilepsy generally excludes intracranial space-occupying lesions, brain tumors, strokes, cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, encephalitis, meningitis, and other diseases. Primary epilepsy, through lifestyle, diet, and medication, is relatively easy to treat. Compared to secondary epilepsy, the treatment outcomes and prognosis are better. Patients with primary epilepsy can be treated with medications to control seizures and should avoid overexertion in their daily lives.