Epilepsy treatment in Türkiye

Health Information About Epilepsy Treatment in Turkey

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system (neurological) in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of consciousness. Epilepsy is relatively common, affecting 65 million people worldwide. Anyone can develop it, but it is more common in young children and older adults. It occurs more frequently in males than in females. Treatment with medications or surgery can control seizures in the majority of people with epilepsy, while some individuals may require lifelong treatment to control seizures. However, for others, seizures may eventually stop. Some children with epilepsy may outgrow the condition as they age.

Causes of Epilepsy:

Possible causes of epilepsy include:

1. Traumatic brain injuries
2. Scarring on the brain after an injury (post-traumatic epilepsy)
3. Severe illness or high fever
4. Stroke, which is a major cause of epilepsy in individuals over 35
5. Other vascular diseases
6. Lack of oxygen in the brain
7. Brain tumors or cysts
8. Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
9. Pre-birth injury or birth defects or lack of oxygen at birth
10. Infectious diseases such as AIDS and meningitis
11. Genetic, developmental, or neurological disorders

Genetics also plays a role in epilepsy, as some people may be more predisposed to seizures due to environmental triggers.

Risk Factors for Epilepsy:

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing epilepsy, including:

1. Age
2. Family history
3. Head injuries
4. Stroke and other vascular diseases
5. Dementia
6. Brain infections
7. Seizures in childhood

Symptoms of Epilepsy:

Because epilepsy results from abnormal brain activity, seizures can affect any process controlled by the brain. Common signs and symptoms of a seizure include:

1. Temporary confusion
2. Uncontrolled shaking movements in the arms and legs
3. Loss of consciousness or awareness
4. Psychological symptoms such as fear or anxiety

Symptoms may vary depending on the type of seizure, but in most cases, individuals with epilepsy experience the same type of seizure each time, making the symptoms consistent.

Seizures are classified into focal and generalized seizures, based on how the abnormal brain activity starts.

• Focal Seizures: Occur when abnormal activity happens in just one area of the brain. They are divided into two types:
  • Focal Seizures Without Loss of Consciousness: Symptoms include changes in taste, smell, vision, hearing, or touch, tingling and shaking in the limbs, and dizziness.
  • Focal Seizures With Impaired Awareness: Symptoms include unresponsiveness, performing repetitive movements, and staring without blinking.
• Generalized Seizures: Involve all areas of the brain and include six types:
  • Tonic Seizures: Cause muscle stiffness.
  • Absence Seizures: Previously known as petit mal seizures, causing staring into space and sometimes repetitive movements like lip smacking or blinking. They often result in a brief loss of consciousness.
  • Atonic Seizures: Result in sudden loss of muscle control, causing the person to fall unexpectedly.
  • Myoclonic Seizures: Cause quick, repetitive muscle jerks in the face, neck, and arms.
  • Clonic Seizures: Involve rhythmic shaking of the arms and legs.
  • Tonic-Clonic Seizures: Previously known as grand mal seizures, they involve muscle rigidity, shaking, loss of bladder or bowel control, biting the tongue, and loss of consciousness.

Diagnosis of Epilepsy:

If someone suspects they are experiencing a seizure, they should visit a doctor immediately, as seizures can be a symptom of a serious health condition. The medical history and symptoms will help the doctor determine which tests are necessary. A neurological examination may be performed to test motor skills and mental performance.

To diagnose epilepsy, other causes of seizures must be ruled out. Blood tests may be ordered to check for:

1. Signs of infectious diseases
2. Liver and kidney function
3. Blood glucose levels

Electroencephalogram (EEG): The most common test for diagnosing epilepsy, where electrodes are placed on the scalp using a paste. This non-invasive and painless test records the brain’s electrical activity. The patient may be asked to perform specific tasks, and in some cases, the test may be done during sleep. Changes in brainwave patterns are common in epilepsy.

Imaging tests can identify tumors and other abnormalities that may cause seizures. These include:

1. CT Scan
2. MRI Scan
3. PET Scan
4. SPECT Scan

You can watch a video on epilepsy treatment in Turkey using Deep Brain Stimulation technology:

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For more information on epilepsy, please visit:

• healthline.org
• mayoclinic.org