Most of us do not expect to experience something like seizures and epilepsy. But such nerve-related conditions are getting common nowadays. A seizure can only occur once. On the other hand, epilepsy is basically a neurological condition, which can be characterized by multiple unprovoked seizures. You can also experience a seizure even if you are not epileptic.

Both seizures and epilepsy can be caused due to head injuries during birth, accidents during youth or adulthood, brain tumours, genetic conditions like tuberous sclerosis and infections like meningitis or encephalitis. Besides, uncontrollable shaking movements in the arms and legs, psychic symptoms of fear or anxiety and loss of consciousness are some of the most common symptoms of seizures as well as epilepsy. Thus, it can be hard to differentiate between them. In the article, we will further discuss the differences between seizures and epilepsy.

How seizures and epilepsy can differ?

Seizures mainly happen due to abnormal electrical discharge in the brain. In general, you have a 10% chance of suffering from a seizure in your lifetime but risk increases after suffering from brain injury or stroke. Whereas, epilepsy is a chronic seizure that anyone may or may not experience in their lifetime. However, having a single seizure doesn’t necessarily mean that you have epilepsy.

When it comes to seizures, even the smallest disruptions happening in neuron interactions can lead to twitches or spasms. Apart from that, sudden discharge in the brain can also cause a change in behaviour or consciousness. Sometimes non-epileptic seizures like provoked seizures can occur due to sudden trauma, drug abuse and low blood sugar while epilepsy occurs as a result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Impacts of seizures and epilepsy:

There are many different kinds of seizures and epilepsy. Some seizures and epilepsy are barely noticeable while others are life-threatening. Due to a seizures, a person can lose consciousness like losing bowel or bladder control, lethargy, temporary confusion and muscle sore etc. Besides, some seizures can make a person unresponsive or partially unresponsive and some seizures are also life-threatening. Whereas, epilepsy can affect a person’s reproductive system, muscles, digestive system, respiratory system, skeletal system, cardiovascular system and nervous system altogether.

Diagnosis :

The diagnosis of seizures primarily done on the basis of the symptoms that are described by you. Usually, a seizures of an adult is evaluated by running a head scan and blood tests in order to find out chemical imbalances. Specific abnormalities observed in the brain wave patterns will help the doctor to determine the nature of the seizure that you may have.

On the other hand, a doctor may suggest a neurological exam and blood test for the diagnosis of epilepsy. Because a neurological exam will help the doctor to determine behaviour, motor abilities, mental function and blood test help to find out infections or genetic conditions in order to specify the type of your epilepsy. There are many neurology hospital in Bangalore, where you can go for diagnosis.

Prevention :

Seizures can be avoided by wearing seat belts during driving, equipping the car with airbags, using a helmet while riding a bicycling or motorcycle and wearing protective headgear for sports. Likewise, epilepsy can be prevented by anti- seizure medication, avoiding drugs and alcohol and by learning stress management, etc.

There may be many differences between seizures and epilepsy, but remedies of both are very time taking. On this article, you may get a brief idea about the differences between seizures and epilepsy that can help you deal with real-life situations in a better way. If you are in Bangalore and faced a seizures then definitely see a neurology doctor in Bangalore.

Frequently asked Q & A :