A Pragmatic Clinical Trial Is Must With Every New And Emerging Anti-Epilepsy Drug
Epilepsy treatments in children have been a great concern amongst the medical community. They believe that a parallel drug development program should be continued, especially for children, as progression of epilepsy and its treatments differs among adults and children. The drugs used for seizure (also called the antiepileptic drugs) may cause serious side effects. The Food and Drug Administration in U.S. is worried about the use of seizure drugs as many times they are not fully tested on children before licensing. Also, the doctors and practitioner have no official guidelines on the doses before prescribing to the patients. As a precaution they prescribe an effective dose considering child’s age and size.
Seizure Control But Not At The Cost Of General Health Of The Child
There is absolutely no doubt on the point that seizure control is very important and for children this is one of the many key factors assuring their quality of life. Seizure control is important but not at the cost of general wellness and easy functioning of the child. Though, researches are being done at a large number and as a result various new anti-epilepsy drugs have been introduced. Some of these researches have proved fruitful but they could not eliminate the use of old drugs. In some cases, these new drugs have even created a therapeutic confusion and resulted in inappropriate treatment.
Side effects of Pediatric Drugs
Anti-Epilepsy Medications Cause Obesity And Increased Insulin Level In Children
Some of the pediatric drugs cause visual field defects. The defects usually are asymptomatic but can be severe too, if not consulted with the physician. The truth behind these pediatric drugs has raised the concern amongst the major health institutes. They have been working hard for pediatric drug reform for past many years. The European Union also came forward with better medical regulation for children to ensure increased availability of licensed medicines, especially for children with epilepsy.
Old AEDs Vs. New AEDs
The conventional anti-epileptic drugs affect various body organs, especially the liver. Their neurobehavioral effects have also been a matter of concern for long. When it comes to children these drugs become more susceptible as their toxic reactions may influence their bone density, body weight and insulin sensitivity. Some AED doses have given obesity and increased insulin level in children. The main difference between old AEDs and new AEDs is found in their association with lower bone mineral density. With systematic study and research the new generation AEDs are lacking in bone mineral density and appearing beneficial on body weight.
Be Informed With The Pros And Cons Of Anti-Epilepsy Drugs
Be Informed With The Prose And Corns Of Anti-Epilepsy Drugs
Children with seizure need extra attention while they are given anti-epilepsy medications. Being a parent you have to be well aware of the side effects of a particular drug. Make you well informed with the prose and corns of anti-epilepsy drugs. They may be dangerous if avoided a single dose or taken it with other drugs without prior consultation with your child’s doctor. Follow the prescription strictly and make sure you never run out of medicine. Stopping medication can be life-threatening to the child. So, strictly avoid being impulsive with your child’s medication and consult his physician first before going for a trial.
What Fractures can Result from Grand Mal Seizure?
Bilateral intracapsular fracture of hip is one of the rare consequences of grand mal seizure (GMS). Such cases have been reported mostly in elderly and adults. This fracture occurs in the proximal end of the femur. Femur is the long bone running through the thigh near the hip. Another complication can also result from the seizure which is called the femoral neck fracture. In this the narrow neck between the round head of the femur and the shaft gets ruptured. This can interfere with the blood flow to the upper end of the femur. Let us see how grand mal seizure causes fractures.
Fractures can result from grand mal seizure
How does GMS Cause Joint Fractures?
Grand mal seizure occurs when there is an abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This leads to severe muscular contraction. The person almost loses consciousness followed by trembling of the body. The musculoskeletal convulsions cause joint dislocations and fractures. Although such cases have been reported very rarely, the risk of contracting it remains in an incident of prolonged seizure. Physicians often miss them or diagnose them quite late. Delay will increase the chances of morbidity. Thorough musculoskeletal examination should be carried out in patients who have suffered a prolonged seizure and are under ventilation.
Remedies for the Joint Ruptures in Cases of GMS
The patients of GMS are usually administered with anti-epileptic drugs to ameliorate the symptoms. In case the drug fails, surgical processes are applied viz. vagal nerve stimulation. But in patients who have also suffered joint problems out the seizure, they have to be given additional treatments. The most common one is orthopedic surgery of the hips. However this is quite painful and keeps the patient immobilized for long. Patients are made to get mobilized as soon as possible with the help of physiotherapy or occupational therapy. In case of non-severe femoral fractures screws or sliding screw plates are used. In intracapsular fractures, the broken part is replaced with a metal implant. This also called hemiarthroplasty. Hip replacement also remains an option. But this is suitable for older people compared younger ones. The younger and active ones run the risk of wearing it out.
Femoral neck fracture can result from GMS, although rare
Final Words on Joint Fractures due to Grand Mal Seizure
I hope this article on joint fractures due to grand mal seizure was useful and wish all people be restored to good health with proper medical treatment, following seizure.
Grand Mal Seizure after a Brain Surgery: What Can I do About It?
Grand Mal Seizure is a signal that an abnormal electrical activity is happening inside the brain. Brain surgery, among other causes may result in seizures. The occurrence may happen right after surgery or months after the procedure is done.
There are two identified kinds of seizures that happen after brain surgery:
- Provoked seizure – happens directly after the surgery
- Unprovoked Seizure - happens long after surgery has been done ( months/ years)
What Causes The Seizure
Grand Mal Seizure after a Brain Surgery What Can I do About It
Seizures are directly linked to the abnormal growth of neural connections. Neurological tests should be taken to figure out the underlying cause of the occurrences of seizures. It may be due to:
- Altered blood circulation to the brain
- Changes in brain hormones production
- Injury to the brain nerves
Before the Surgery
For patients undergoing brain surgeries, the risk for long-term seizure disorder should be discussed with the attending physician/ surgeon. Options should be laid beforehand and clearly outlined. The objective of the surgical management should weigh more than its consequences (an example is to prevent paralysis or blindness). Neurological checks should be done and recorded to serve as a baseline data and comparison post surgery.
After the surgery
Grand mal seizures following a brain surgery are not common. However, after the brain heals, most of these underlying causes of seizures will resolve. Seizures, temporarily, may also be treated with anticonvulsant medications (as prescribed by attending doctor). Speeding up the recovery following the brain surgery should be prioritized to resolve the seizure disorder. To hasten the recuperation make sure that the patient follows the physician’s orders. A healthy lifestyle should add to it.
- Plenty of sleep
- Healthy diet
- Medications compliance to reduce pain, swelling and seizures
- Increased fluid and fiber ( to prevent constipation due to the adverse effects of anticonvulsant medications and prevent increase in intracranial pressure)
- Activities of daily living should be done as tolerated by the patient
YouTube Video: Seizure After Second Surgery
Grand Mal Seizures and Brain Damage
A lot of people are still wondering if grand mal seizures lead to brain damage. In the first place, on some people, the cause of grand mal seizure is already a brain injury or other illnesses. This makes it hard for physicians to conclude if the damage to the brain of the person is caused by the seizure or has already been there even before the seizure has begun. Through researches, it has been known that brain damage after an episode of grand mal seizure is rare. There are negative changes in the brain but there is a possibility of losing a few specific brain cells.
What Seizure Causes Brain Damage?
The type of seizure that is very much capable of doing brain damage to a person is status epilepticus. This is the reason why it is important to take note of the duration of the grand mal seizure the person experiences. Grand mal seizure can indeed cause brain damage if it has already lasted for more than 30 minutes, because it will now be known as status epilepticus. This is a medical emergency where aggressive medical interventions must be applied. Vital signs should be monitored all the time. A research has been made about how this type of seizurecauses brain damage. It has been observed that the prolonged seizure causes death of some brain cell structures, and these are the dendrites.
Grand Mal Seizures and Brain Damage
What Needs to be Done
If your loved one already has grand mal seizures from time to time, it is important to increase your collaboration with your physician. In this way, your loved one will be observed properly and timely interventions may be given to avoid the occurrence of status epilepticus that can cause brain damage.
Effects of Alcohol on Grand Mal Seizures
Doctors never fail to warn patients with grand mal seizures about drinking alcohol. The effects of too much alcohol on grand mal seizures can be life threatening. Although increased seizure activity is not seen on patients that have had a moderate amount of alcohol, precaution must still be done. Too much alcohol intake can lead to life threatening situations such as status epilepticus. This condition needs immediate medical attention. Status epilepticus is seizure that occurs for more than 30 minutes.
Effects of Alcohol on Grand Mal Seizures
What to Expect after Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol in small to moderate amounts has certain properties that ironically can control seizures. However, this should not be a reason to hope that it can totally control seizures. Seizures do not occur while a person with grand mal seizures is currently drinking alcohol. The seizures should be expected when there is alcohol withdrawal, probably 6 to 72 hours after drinking a large amount of alcohol. The seizures are more likely to occur on people who have been abusing alcohol for several years. There are instances where the intake of alcohol is suddenly stopped, and seizures occur.
Excess Alcohol Triggers Grand Mal Seizures
As a patient who has enough common sense, you should be aware of the effects of alcohol on your grand mal seizures. You should be responsible enough to stay away from the substances that can trigger your seizures.
Life Expectancy of People with Grand Mal Seizures
Grand Mal Seizures
Grand mal seizures occur because of the abnormal electrical impulses in the brain. This can be controlled through medications and surgical interventions. Having this condition can be pretty hard for some people because this can affect their safety. A person with grand mal seizure can have an unexpected attack any time, any place. This is why people with grand mal seizure and their loved ones often are bothered with the question about the life expectancy of people who have this condition.
What to Do When a Person is Having Seizures
If you see someone having seizures, the primary thing that you should take note of is to never attempt to restrain the person. This can do more harm than good. The best thing that you can do is to keep him away from anything that can harm him while he is having seizures. If he is on the floor, you better keep him away from tables, chairs, and the like. Clear the area from anything that is sharp or anything that can cause injury.
Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)
What people should know about the life expectancy of people with grand mal seizures is that is it is just the same as everyone else’s. However, this does not include those people who have the condition because of stroke, brain tumors, and the like. SUDEP or Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy is very rare. This occurs in people who have epilepsy and dies without a clear cause. The risk for this cause of death is higher for people taking enormous amounts of seizure medications. A person is often found lying face down and most of the time does not appear to have had any seizure prior to his death. There are many possible causes that researchers have pointed out such as irregular heart rhythm, suffocation because of impaired breathing and fluid inside the lungs.