Epilepsy And Pregnancy-Preparing For Pregnancy
By Jackie De Burca
May 27, 2012
Most people who go on to be diagnosed with epilepsy will experience their first seizure between the ages of five and twenty years old, though, in fact, a seizure can happen at any age. Many neurologists and neuroscientists are of the opinion that each person's brain has a threshold above which a fit will be triggered; for people who have epilepsy that threshold can be very low.
Epileptic individuals can experience many seizures which cause changes in behaviour, consciousness and attention. This "threshold" may be lowered because of conditions such as dementia, stroke or metabolic disease particularly in infancy. Trauma to the head resulting in brain injury can …show more content…
If one observes an absence seizure it is almost as if a person has been put on pause. They are not aware of anything going on around them and are often unaware they have had a seizure when it has passed. This type of epilepsy is known as petit mal epilepsy.
Managing Epilepsy
Reducing the number of seizures is usually accomplished using medication, though in the most severe cases, or those not responsive to several types of medication, surgery can be an option.
Epilepsy, Fertility and Preparing for Pregnancy
The chances are, by the time a woman reaches the age at which she is ready to conceive, she will know if she has epilepsy. It is vitally important to speak to your doctor or specialist before you try to conceive as certain anti-convulsant medications can be detrimental to your baby's development even in early pregnancy. It is worthwhile keeping a diary of seizures before speaking to professionals to assess how well your epilepsy is being …show more content…
Babies born to women with epilepsy are at a greater risk of developing seizures later in life, may have low birth weight and bleeding problems. Sadly, epilepsy increases the risk of having a still
By Jackie De Burca
May 27, 2012
Most people who go on to be diagnosed with epilepsy will experience their first seizure between the ages of five and twenty years old, though, in fact, a seizure can happen at any age. Many neurologists and neuroscientists are of the opinion that each person's brain has a threshold above which a fit will be triggered; for people who have epilepsy that threshold can be very low.
Epileptic individuals can experience many seizures which cause changes in behaviour, consciousness and attention. This "threshold" may be lowered because of conditions such as dementia, stroke or metabolic disease particularly in infancy. Trauma to the head resulting in brain injury can …show more content…
If one observes an absence seizure it is almost as if a person has been put on pause. They are not aware of anything going on around them and are often unaware they have had a seizure when it has passed. This type of epilepsy is known as petit mal epilepsy.
Managing Epilepsy
Reducing the number of seizures is usually accomplished using medication, though in the most severe cases, or those not responsive to several types of medication, surgery can be an option.
Epilepsy, Fertility and Preparing for Pregnancy
The chances are, by the time a woman reaches the age at which she is ready to conceive, she will know if she has epilepsy. It is vitally important to speak to your doctor or specialist before you try to conceive as certain anti-convulsant medications can be detrimental to your baby's development even in early pregnancy. It is worthwhile keeping a diary of seizures before speaking to professionals to assess how well your epilepsy is being …show more content…
Babies born to women with epilepsy are at a greater risk of developing seizures later in life, may have low birth weight and bleeding problems. Sadly, epilepsy increases the risk of having a still