Although the advancement in technology in terms of research in the medicine and health sector has improved the quality of life, still certain disorders are very common across the globe. Among neurological disorders that affect our central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, seizures and epilepsy are worth mentioning as epilepsy is considered the fourth most common neurological disease. According to USA statistics, about 1 in 2 people suffer from epilepsy, and about more than 15000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed yearly.
Thus, it is better to have a complete understanding of these neurological disorders. Mostly these two neurological conditions i.e., seizure and epilepsy are considered somehow the same or interchangeable. People confuse these two but actually, the difference is a bit more complex than that. Let’s explore the key differences between the two.
Seizure
A seizure is an abnormal electrical activity at a particular area of the brain and that particular electrical activity suddenly bursts and spreads to the other areas of the brain resulting in a series of abnormal clinical manifestations.
Causes
There is a complicated and intricate network of billions of neurons in the brain that are continuously processing and transmitting information by interacting with one another for the normal functioning of the brain and body. Sometimes these neurons start sending the wrong signals or interact with few disruptions resulting in sudden electrical discharge causing changes in sensation, muscle twitches, or altered consciousness.
Single neuron misfires with little consequence but if the multiple cells start misfiring at the same time depending on the severity and location of the brain, it will lead to a seizure. The cause of disruption of function can be due to high fever, trauma to the head or lack of oxygen. There are only 10% chances of suffering from a seizure but the risk increases if the patient has a history of some severe brain injury or stroke. However, not all seizures are epileptic in nature.
Types of seizures
Depending upon the movement, changes in sensation, behaviors and effects, seizures are divided into the following types
Partial seizures
It may take the form of simple jerking in one part of the body or simple tingling or numbness lasting for one to 2 minutes. Patients might experience sudden distortion of vision or hear some strange sound, feeling of some sensation coming out of their body. In the case of children, they get confused, disoriented for no apparent reason, and after few episodes patients will become completely normal. When patients have these kinds of manifestations without the loss of consciousness or for a very brief time it is called partial seizures.
Generalized seizures
In contrast to partial seizures, there are generalized seizures in which electrical activity is going to spread from one particular area and spreads to the entire area of the brain. Patients would have an initial grunting sound followed by the clenching of jaws very tightly; bite their tongue, frothing might come from their mouth and whole body become very stiff. Following this, after few seconds, jerking starts in their arms and legs. The whole episode may last for about 1-2 minutes, slowly the jerking stops and the patients start breathing heavily. Their movement may stop but the patients become disoriented, confused, and lethargic for few minutes to one hour. Then they will recover completely from it as nothing has happened. This is called the major motor seizure or generalized seizures.
Other than these 2 common types, seizures are further divided into focal seizures, myoclonic seizures, tonic and clonic seizures.
Epilepsy
If the patient suffers from repeated and unpredictable episodes of seizures without any provocation that is known as epilepsy. There are multiple types of epilepsy, which we will require a subsequent, separate discussion. Single seizure episode happens only once, most of the time an epileptologist may decide to just observe the patient but when it happens as an epileptic manifestation, these patients need to be under the treatment.
Treatment
Most of the patients with epilepsy are treated with medications. There are different kinds of medications available now. Most of the medications are very safe and patients need to take these medications for 2 to 4 years but in some severe cases, patients have to take the medication for a lifetime. About 70% to 80% of the patients respond to ant-epileptic medications as long as they continue taking these medications regularly.
But sometimes despite the best efforts of epileptologist, around 20% to 30% of patients may not respond to these medications. In that case, the patients have to be evaluated for some surgical procedure. The epileptologist and the neurosurgeons discuss all the available options for the patients to control their epilepsy. In many cases after a successful procedure patient might recover completely from epilepsy but this is not an option for everyone.
Overall we can compare seizure and epilepsy as follows for a better understanding
| Seizures | Epilepsy |
| A single occurrence of jerky movement and other features of a fit | Unpredictable and repeated unprovoked seizures |
| No need for treatment | Anti-epileptic drugs are used or sometimes surgery if necessary |
Seizure Management
According to the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, certain things need to keep in mind when anyone around you is having a seizure
- Do not panic.
- Protect head with a coat or blanket
- Make sure that the patient is turned to one side and the not injuring himself
- Don’t try to open the mouth of the patient as that can cause choking
- Should not slap the patient or pour water on the patient. All these things are unnecessary and sometimes harmful.
- Try to make the patient comfortable.
- Call 911 immediately if the person is having a seizure continuously for more than 5 minutes or if the person has some critical health condition like diabetes or pregnancy.
Thus seizure is a one-time thing while frequent episodes of it are known as epilepsy. Epilepsy is not a stigma and it can be cured. Due to the latest research and treatment strategies in the medical field, now epileptic patients can live an independent and normal life. If you need further assistance with either condition, contact our Neurologist doctor today!