Introduction
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disease that is characterized by the presence of more than one unprovoked seizures in the individual. There is no cure for epilepsy, although it is possible to manage the seizures that characterize the disease, therefore enabling the patient to live a productive life.
This paper will provide a description of epilepsy and offer the current statistics on the diseases. The impacts of the disease on various body systems will be provided and a list of treatment options given.
Description of the Disease
By definition, epilepsy is “more than one unprovoked seizure caused by abnormal and excessive electrical activity in the brain” (Bernadette, 2008, p.38). The seizures are momentary disturbances of brain function that are caused by the spontaneous and excessive discharge of neurons in the brain. A diagnosis of epilepsy is made if a patient has an illness whose main characteristic is multiple uncontrollable seizures.
The seizures experienced can be categorized into two: partial and generalized. In partial seizures, epileptiform activity occurs in localized brain regions. This results in seizures being experienced in only parts of the body.
In generalized seizures, the entire brain is involved in epileptiform activity and, consequently, the patient experiences involuntary shaking involving the entire body. Classification of seizure disorders is crucial to the overall management of patients suffering from epilepsy.
For a large number of patients, the cause of epilepsy is unknown. However, genetics have been identified as an underlying cause of the disorder since genes affect brain functioning. Epilepsy can also occur as a side effect of some medical conditions that affect brain functioning. Hesdorffe (2013) states that patients who have suffered from brain tumors, head traumas and strokes are likely to develop epilepsy since these conditions affect brain functioning.
Current Statistics of those affected
Prevalence estimates suggest that 2.76 million individuals in the US are affected by epilepsy. Epilepsy is primarily confined to young children and the elderly. In the US, 460,000 children aged below 18 years suffer from this illness. Bernadette (2008) reveals that the prevalence of epilepsy among children is high making it one of the most common childhood illnesses.
This disease affects between 0.5 and 0.7% of children under the age of 15. However, the outlook for most children diagnosed with epilepsy is good for most childhood seizures resolve enabling children to live a normal life (Bernadette, 2008).
In children, the condition is not severe and the disease can be managed with proper medication. The World Health Organization (2012) reveals that with proper treatment, it is possible to manage seizures so that drug intervention might be removed without relapse in the child.
There is an increase in the prevalence of epilepsy among the elderly. A report by the CDC (2012) indicates that 1.4% of adults over the age of 55 suffered from active epilepsy while only 0.9% of adults aged between 18 and 54 had the condition.
Over the last few decades, the number of epilepsy patients has increased among the elderly. Zaccara (2009) observes that this prevalence can be attributed to the increasing age of the population. In older patients, constant medication is necessary to manage the condition.
How Epilepsy affects the Body System
As previously stated, epilepsy is a neurological disorder, meaning it affects the nerve system of the body. They human body functions since the brain is able to control the body through the extensive nerve system. Sadock and Kaplan (2008) reveal, “The brain generates electrical charges that are transmitted through nerve cells to communicate different messages to the body” (p.243). In essence, epilepsy causes a disruption in the normal functioning of the brain’s neurological system.
The brain is the primary organ affected by epilepsy. The neurons misfire due to an imbalance in the brain electrical chemistry. Involuntary messages are therefore transmitted to various muscles in the body due to the uncontrolled burst of electric current in the brain. A wide array of physical manifestations can be displayed due to this disruption in brain function (Hesdorffer, 2013).
Seizures can occur in people who do not suffer from epilepsy. However, the frequency of seizures in epilepsy patients is higher since their brains have a low seizure threshold. Slightly high excitements to the brain are therefore likely to result in seizing.
Seizures may lead to a change in the structure of the brain and this might have adverse effects on the mental capability of the patient. Changes in brain structure lead to individuals developing psychiatric conditions that might need separate attention.
As such, persons with epilepsy are predisposed to psychiatric difficulties. Sadock and Kaplan (2008) document that 30 to 50% of epilepsy patients suffer from psychiatric conditions at some point during the course of their illness.
Medication and Treatment
The major goal in epilepsy management is to achieve freedom from seizures. If unmanaged, the seizures in epilepsy might lead to the premature death of children. Hesdorffer (2013) reports that incidents of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) can occur in children who suffer from seizures that are difficult to control. As such, the mainstay of treatment in all patients with epilepsy is anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).
AEDs function by preventing or reducing the occurrence of seizures, therefore improving the patient’s quality of life. The most common type of medication for adult patients is sodium valproate and phenytoin (Sadock & Kaplan, 2008). These drugs are used to control the generalized seizures that are predominant among adult patients.
For young people with epilepsy, carbamazepine is the first choice drug. This line of drugs is used to control partial seizures. In addition to preventing seizures, the carbamazepine and valproate lines of drugs are helpful in controlling the symptoms of irritability and aggression associated with epilepsy.
The World Health Organization (2012) documents that epilepsy treatment options have an efficacy rate of 70%, meaning that a significant proportion of the patients are able to achieve improved quality of life after medication. However, there are incidents where patients do not respond to these drugs or the drugs are contraindicated or not tolerated by the body.
When this occurs, the physician might recommend newer drugs. A number of significant side effects are associated with the available epilepsy treatment options. Most AEDs cause mild to moderate cognitive impairment in the patient. Bernadette (2008) acknowledges that AEDs have significant side effects and epilepsy treatments try to achieve the best balance between preventing seizures and side effects of treatment.
Conclusion
Epilepsy is a chronic disease that leads to uncontrollable seizures by the patient. This paper has offered a description of the illness and provided statistics on the individuals affected by the disease. It has then noted that the disease can be managed through drugs with high success rates.
However, the prevalence of epilepsy is on the increase due to the rising number of older members of the population. It will therefore become more important to effectively manage this condition and ensure that patients enjoy a good quality of life.
References
Bernadette, W. (2008). Improving medicine taking in epilepsy. Paediatric Nursing, 20(9), 37-43.
CDC (2012). Epilepsy in Adults and Access to Care – United States, 2010. Web.
Hesdorffer, D. (2013). Research implications of the Institute of Medicine Report, Epilepsy Across the Spectrum: Promoting Health and Understanding. Epilepsia, 54 (2), 207-216.
Sadock, B.J. & Kaplan, J.B. (2008). Kaplan & Sadock’s Concise Textbook of Clinical Psychiatry. NY: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
World Health Organization (2012). Epilepsy. Web.
Zaccara, G. (2009). Neurological comorbidity and epilepsy: implications for treatment. Acta Neurol Scand, 120(1), 1–15.