The neurologist spoke about the hidden symptoms of epilepsy

Epilepsy is a brain disease in which there are recurrent seizures caused by excessive electrical activity of neurons. Olga Butenko, a pediatric neurologist at the Medin Medical Center, told Izvestia on March 26, the Day of Epilepsy Patients.

According to the doctor, seizures of epilepsy can occur in different areas of the brain, which affects movement, speech, memory and other functions. The causes of epilepsy can be different, including genetic characteristics, injuries, strokes, and brain tumors. In some cases, the exact cause cannot be determined, but the mechanism remains common: the occurrence of pathological electrical discharges in neural networks. As the neurologist noted, the symptoms of epilepsy can vary greatly.

"For some, an attack may look like convulsions with loss of consciousness, for others it may just look like a sudden fading, that is, a blackout, that is, some kind of strange gaze at one point or some automatic movements, twitching of only one arm or only half of the face, or some unusual sensations in the patient," — the expert explained.

Epilepsy is a chronic disease, as it is not about random seizures, but about the predisposition of the brain to repeat them. In patients with this disease, some of the nerve cells begin to fire too easily and synchronously, creating a pathological discharge. If a person has an epileptic seizure, first of all it is important to remain calm.

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"If a person has external seizures, it is necessary to protect them. That is, to remove some sharp, hard objects side by side, if possible, put something soft under the head, do not try to hold the cramps by force, that is, do not try to hold the person, do not try to unclench the jaws," explained the specialist.

If the attack lasts more than five minutes or it recurs, you need to call an ambulance.

"Epilepsy is not a sentence. In a significant proportion of patients, with proper treatment, seizures can be completely controlled or even significantly reduced in frequency. The most important thing is to see a doctor in a timely manner and undergo an examination," the expert concluded.

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On March 9, Medical Xpress reported on methods of brain training and reducing the risk of dementia. According to researchers, the physical condition of the body is directly related to the work of the brain. It was clarified that, in addition to mental exercises, regular physical activity, blood pressure control, adequate sleep and vaccination in old age are recommended.

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