Investigating Epilepsy: Assessments and Procedures
In the realm of neurology, understanding the causes behind seizures is crucial. This article aims to shed light on the diagnostic process for both epilepsy and non-epileptic seizures (NES).
When a person experiences a seizure, doctors begin their investigation with a thorough physical exam and symptom assessment to determine the cause. This initial assessment helps them rule out any underlying illnesses or infections that might be triggering seizures.
Doctors may also delve into a person's medical history, inquiring about previous seizures, what happened before, during, and after the seizure, and if other family members have epilepsy. It's important to note that doctors cannot test for seizures themselves, so they rely on the individual's account and the testimonies of witnesses.
To further investigate, doctors may order blood tests to check for conditions such as anemia or diabetes that could be causing seizures. Imaging tests, such as CT or MRI scans, can reveal structural abnormalities in the brain that may cause seizures and check for any lasting damage caused by seizures.
A crucial step in the diagnostic process is the use of an electroencephalogram (EEG). This test measures electrical brain activity to identify patterns that indicate seizure likelihood. However, for a more accurate diagnosis, doctors may recommend a single photon emission CT test to measure blood flow in the brain during a seizure, or video-electroencephalogram (video-EEG) monitoring, which records both brain electrical activity and behavior during an episode.
The diagnostic process for NES primarily relies on video-EEG monitoring, which captures a typical event. During these seizure-like episodes, NES typically show normal EEG activity, helping to distinguish them from epileptic seizures that show abnormal electrical discharges.
It's essential to remember that epilepsy is undetectable by a blood test, but doctors may recommend one to rule out any genetic mutations that may link with it.
Other potential causes of seizures, not limited to epilepsy, include fever, infection, very high or very low blood sugar, head injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and impaired kidney function.
Doctors investigate epilepsy if someone has two or more seizures at least 24 hours apart. The diagnostic process, while comprehensive, serves to provide a clearer understanding of the individual's condition and guide appropriate treatment.
The Epilepsy Foundation suggests taking someone who saw the seizure along to the appointment, as the individual experiencing it may not be able to describe what happened. This collaborative approach ensures a more accurate and comprehensive diagnosis.
- Medical-conditions like diabetes and anemia are investigated as potential causes of seizures during the diagnostic process.
- In the realm of medical-health, epilepsy is undetectable by a blood test, but genetic mutations connected to it might be uncovered.
- The diagnostic approach for non-epileptic seizures (NES) depends heavily on video-EEG monitoring, which captures typical events.
- To guide the appropriate therapies-and-treatments for conditions like epilepsy and neurological-disorders, a comprehensive diagnostic process is carried out, including fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and mental-health assessments.
