The brain is one of the most important parts of the body, as it is needed to control how the other parts function. Although the brain has a barrier of protection within the skull, severe head injuries can lead to it suffering damage. There are also medical conditions that can develop within the brain that cause the affected area to not function as it should to properly control specific parts of the body. Epilepsy is a medical condition that can develop when the brain has an injury or a condition that has caused it to malfunction. If you have a loved one who has been fainting in an abnormal manner or experiencing other symptoms that are out of the ordinary, he or she might be experiencing something that is related to the brain, such as epilepsy.
What It Means to Be Epileptic
Being epileptic means that someone has the potential to experience seizures at any given time, and they often come when least expected. The seizures can range from mild to severe, which is why it is important to wear a helmet in some cases to avoid head injuries when episodes occur. For example, it is common for someone who is epileptic to experience jerking motions during a seizure, which can lead to him or her accidentally hitting his or her head against a hard surface or the ground. However, you should also know that epilepsy doesn't always involve having a stereotypical grand mal seizure, as an episode can involve other symptoms being experienced.
Signs to Watch for in a Loved One
If you expect that your loved one is possibly suffering from epilepsy, your first move should be to make him or her a doctors appointment. However, another thing that you should do is look for signs, such as suddenly staring in one direction for a long time. Staring spells can mean that he or she is in the process of having a seizure. You can also pay attention to your loved one's body to see if his or her muscles are contracting in a strange manner, such as in a constant rhythm.
The Possible Need for Neurosurgery
If a doctor determines that your loved one is suffering from epilepsy, brain surgery might be necessary to cure or reduce the symptoms. Taking medications alone isn't sufficient enough to cure the condition, but it can assist with lessening the symptoms. Brain surgery can be performed in numerous ways, and it will depend on what is specifically causing your loved one to be epileptic. For example, if a tumor is the cause, a neurosurgeon will have to manually remove it via surgery. The removal of brain lesions and lobes are also commonly done when operating on the brain to treat epilepsy.
Contact a neurosurgeon to learn more.
