Diplomate, Board Certification of Emergency Medicine
Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine Ma'ayenei Hayeshua
Hospital
Last week I spoke about Alzheimer's Disease and I neglected
to mention one important point. Many experts feel exercise is
a good way to delay the progression of early Alzheimer's.
This is just another positive benefit of exercise.
It can be very scary for a passerby. Suddenly, you see a man
fall to the ground and become unconscious, his body tense and
rigid. Just as suddenly, his whole body twitches and shakes
uncontrollably. People watch helplessly, then this ceases as
well and the man lies motionless, finally waking up somewhat
but very confused. It can be hours until he returns to
himself. You have just witnessed a seizure.
Seizures are dramatic but usually are not a serious problem
if they stop fast. They are caused by a sudden electrical
outburst in the brain. They can be caused by many things.
Stroke and past head injuries are the most common causes that
we can identify, but often no cause is found. High fever in
children, toxemia of pregnancy, lack of sleep, low blood
sugar and medications are other interesting causes.
The most common seizure is the scene we presented above,
which is what is called a grand mal seizure. In children, we
often see petit mal which is a sudden episode of staring and
unresponsiveness which resolves within seconds. Partial
complex seizures involve the part of the brain that controls
the emotions and psychological well being -- these seizures
can turn a mild mannered person into a villain. Most seizures
are diagnosed through a painless test called an EEG which is
like an electrocardiogram for the head.
Seizures are usually easily treated by medications: Tegretol
and Dantion (Dilantin in the USA); there are other drugs that
are used, but they have worse side effects. There are
occasional difficult patients, but most are able to live
normal lives and go seizure-free for many months if not
years. Most countries have laws that do not allow patients
who have seizures to drive automobiles. Doctors are also
mandated to report to the police that they have treated a
seizure patient.
Children usually grow out of petit mal seizures and fever
seizures. Fever seizures are scary but there is little that
can be done for them. When a child prone to this problem has
a fever, it is probably a good idea to reduce his or her
fever.
If you see someone seizing, do not attempt to shove anything
between their teeth. Since the seizures can be dangerous if
they last for more then a few moments it is probably best to
call an ambulance. People with a history of seizures just
need to check the level of the medication in their blood if
they have a breakthrough seizure. Dangerous seizures are ones
that don't stop, or start many times. Another bad sign is a
focal seizure, that is a seizure in only one part of the
body.
Since nowadays most seizure patients are well controlled and
seizures are relatively common, I don't believe it should be
an impediment to a shidduch. Write me in care of the
Yated.
Some seizures can be more difficult, and until a few years
ago there was little hope. Recently major breakthroughs in
the treatment of seizures has occurred with the discovery of
new medications, including Glaxo's Lamictal. For the
difficult to control patient, this drug can help provide a
normal lifestyle.
