Status epilepticus is an especially dangerous epilepsy complication because it can cause permanent brain damage. Death is also a possibility. Weight gain: Certain antiseizure medications can make weight loss and management more challenging. Being overweight can then increase your risk for other chronic health problems.
Over time, repeated temporal lobe seizures can cause the part of the brain that’s responsible for learning and memory (hippocampus) to shrink. Brain cell loss in this area may cause memory problems.
Moreover, Does epilepsy cause dementia?
Both studies support the robust and bidirectional association between dementia and epilepsy. Not only do people with dementing illness, such as AD, have an increased risk for subsequent epilepsy, but people with epilepsy are at a substantially increased risk of developing dementia.
Secondly, Does epilepsy cause long term memory loss?
People with epilepsy often report memory concerns and/or memory problems. The most common form of epilepsy-related memory problems are with immediate, recent (short-term), and prospective memory. It is less common for epilepsy to affect long- term memory.
Simply so, Can epilepsy cause other health problems?
These include underlying neurological problems which may have caused the epilepsy, heart or breathing conditions, anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions, and some cancers. Other deaths in people with epilepsy relate to drug or alcohol abuse.
Can Epilepsy make you forget things?
Research has shown that people with epilepsy are prone to forget things more quickly than others. In some situations, it may seem that information “goes in one ear and out the other.” This rapid rate of forgetting is thought to be the result of impairment in the ability to store or consolidate new information.
16 Related Question Answers Found
How does epilepsy affect the brain?
Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness. Anyone can develop epilepsy. Epilepsy affects both males and females of all races, ethnic backgrounds and ages.
Can seizures cause brain damage in adults?
A seizure that lasts at least 5 minutes, a second seizure without recovering consciousness from the first, or if a person is having a repeated seizure lasting 30 minutes or longer is called status epilepticus, or a prolonged seizure. This is a medical emergency that may lead to permanent brain damage or death.
What parts of the brain are affected by epilepsy?
Seizures can occur anywhere in the brain, but in children they frequently occur in the temporal and frontal lobes, affecting the functions that these regions control. A region of particular importance in adults with epilepsy, but less so in children, is the mesial, or middle, part of the temporal lobe.
Does temporal lobe epilepsy affect memory?
Over time, repeated temporal lobe seizures can cause the part of the brain that’s responsible for learning and memory (hippocampus) to shrink. Brain cell loss in this area may cause memory problems.
Does temporal lobe epilepsy affect emotions?
Feelings of depression or anxiety are especially common. A few people with epilepsy experience psychosis (losing contact with reality). Some doctors believe in the existence of a distinct temporal lobe epilepsy personality.
Does epilepsy affect memory?
Any type of epileptic seizure could potentially affect your memory, either during or after a seizure. If you have lots of seizures, memory problems might happen more often. Some people have generalised seizures that affect all of the brain.
Does epilepsy affect life expectancy?
Reduction in life expectancy can be up to 2 years for people with a diagnosis of idiopathic/cryptogenic epilepsy, and the reduction can be up to 10 years in people with symptomatic epilepsy. Reductions in life expectancy are highest at the time of diagnosis and diminish with time.
Does epilepsy worsen with age?
Factors affecting prognosis Age: Adults over the age of 60 may experience an increased risk for epileptic seizures, as well as related complications. Family history: Epilepsy is often genetic. If you have a family member who experienced epilepsy-related complications, then your own risk may be higher.
What parts of the nervous system are affected by epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system, which sends messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to direct the body’s activities. Disruptions in electrical activity in the central nervous system set off seizures.
What nervous tissue is involved in epilepsy?
Among the most important roles of astrocytes are the uptake and redistribution of ions and water, glucose metabolism and communication with nerve cells. Disturbances in all of these functions have been associated with epilepsy.
How can epilepsy improve memory loss?
Improving memory People with epilepsy will have extra information to remember, like taking tablets, noting seizure triggers and medical appointments. If you know you are forgetful, there are many things you can do to help you remember.
How does a neurologist check for epilepsy?
Electroencephalogram (EEG). This is the most common test used to diagnose epilepsy. In this test, electrodes are attached to your scalp with a paste-like substance or cap. The electrodes record the electrical activity of your brain.
Last Updated: 21 days ago – Co-authors : 8 – Users : 10
