Epilepsy: the most effective dietary supplements

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal and excessive electrical activity in the brain, which leads to various clinical manifestations, including convulsions, loss of consciousness, involuntary movements, as well as sensory or behavioral disturbances.

Pathophysiology of epilepsy

Epilepsy occurs because of a disruption of normal electrical activity in the brain. Epileptogenic neurons show hyperexcitability and abnormal synchronization, which leads to excessive electrical discharges. This abnormality may arise from structural, genetic, or metabolic causes. Seizures occur when the neuronal firing threshold is lowered below a certain level, triggering synchronous activation of groups of neurons.

Symptoms of epilepsy

The symptoms of epilepsy vary depending on the type of seizure and the region of the brain affected. Generalized seizures affect both cerebral hemispheres and can present in different forms. Tonic-clonic seizures are characterized by muscle contractions followed by jerking. Absence seizures cause brief losses of consciousness without convulsions. Myoclonic seizures manifest as brief, sudden muscle jerks, while atonic seizures cause a sudden loss of muscle tone, often leading to falls. Focal seizures, on the other hand, affect only a specific region of the brain. Simple focal seizures do not cause loss of consciousness, but they may be accompanied by movements.

Etiologies of epilepsy

The causes of epilepsy are multiple. Genetically, hereditary abnormalities can affect neuronal function. Structural causes include brain injuries due to trauma, strokes, congenital malformations, or tumors. Epilepsy can also be caused by infections of the central nervous system, such as meningitis or encephalitis. Electrolyte imbalances or congenital metabolic disorders can also be responsible for the condition. Finally, immunological causes, such as autoimmune encephalopathies (for example, Hashimoto's encephalopathy), may contribute to the onset of epilepsy.

Treatment of epilepsy

The treatment of epilepsy aims to control seizures and improve patients' quality of life. Antiepileptic drugs, such as carbamazepine, valproate, and lamotrigine, play a key role in stabilizing neuronal electrical activity. For forms of focal epilepsy resistant to medication, surgical intervention may be considered to remove the epileptogenic zone of the brain. In addition, the ketogenic diet, which is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, has proven effective in some patients, particularly children. Another approach is vagus nerve stimulation, an implanted device that reduces seizure frequency by stimulating this nerve. Finally, behavioral and psychological therapies can be implemented to help patients manage the psychological and social aspects of the condition.