Causes and signs of epilepsy, code of disease according to ICD 10

1 Types of epileptic seizures

According to the international classification of diseases, epileptic seizures are characterized for reasons of their origin, localization of the primary focus of electrical activity, variants of the course of an attack. Seizures can be simple, complex, partial and generalized. With the generalized there is a complete loss of consciousness and control over one's behavior. With the tonic-clonic type, hypertension of all muscles arises, leading to convulsions of the muscles of the head, limbs and jaw. Absence is an epileptic seizure, characterized by a temporary halt in activity. Usually observed at an early age. The child has a trembling of the muscles of the face and eyelids, an unconscious look.

In most cases, epileptic seizures have a partial type. They arise when a portion of increased electrical activity is formed in the brain envelope. Their symptoms depend on the location of such an area. They can manifest themselves as violations of motor activity, mental and vegetative pathologies. During the exacerbation the patient does not lose consciousness, however, he becomes unable to control some parts of his body.

With a complex type of seizures, a partial loss of consciousness occurs, disorientation in space and time. Man does not react to external factors. During this period, involuntary movements of the arms, legs and head may be noted. Both partial and complex seizure can go to generalized. The attack of any type lasts no more than 3 minutes, after its termination drowsiness and confusion of consciousness is marked.

High electrical activity of the brain envelopes can be observed in the period between attacks. This can lead to the development of encephalopathy. The patient is noted deterioration of memory and attention, increased irritability, unreasonable anxiety. In children, the disease can inhibit psycho-speech and physical development, lead to hyperactivity, autism and persistent headaches.

2 Etiology of the occurrence of

The signals between nerve cells are transmitted by means of electrical pulses generated on their surfaces. When superfluous impulses arise, the brain extinguishes them with the help of anti-epileptic structures. Generalized primary epilepsy occurs with genetic defects of these structures. They do not cope with excessive electrical activity of nerve cells. Because of this, there is a convulsive readiness of the cerebral cortex.

Foci of increased electrical activity are formed due to such pathologies as benign and malignant neoplasms, cerebral hemorrhages, underdevelopment of brain structures, alcoholism, drug addiction, infectious brain tissue lesions, craniocerebral trauma. Birth defects are not always manifested as primary epilepsy. However, under the influence of adverse factors( trauma or pathology), a symptomatic form of epilepsy may occur.

The main complication of the disease is the status epilepticus - an attack lasting more than half an hour or a series of attacks that occur at short intervals. The development of status epilepticus leads to the rejection of medications. With such an attack, the patient may have cardiac arrest, develop a coma. In severe cases, an attack can result in a fatal outcome.

After diagnosis, it is important to determine the nature of epilepsy - symptomatic or idiopathic. It is necessary to establish the nature of the seizures. This will allow to correctly assign treatment and to prevent seizures in a timely manner. The patient himself is not able to remember what is happening to him during an attack. Therefore, the doctor should interview the relatives and friends of the patient who are with the patient during the attack. In addition, all the necessary tests and studies are prescribed: EEG, CT and MRI.Electroencephalogram allows you to monitor the periods of increased electrical activity of the brain. All changes in the cells of the brain during an attack are reflected in the EEG, but during the period of remission they can not be tracked.

Despite the fact that many people think that patients with epilepsy should limit themselves in everything, it is still possible to lead a full life with this disease. Regular intake of drugs allows the patient to lead a habitual way of life. Against the background of taking medications, the brain becomes less sensitive to provoking factors. The patient can work, play sports, travel. Epilepsy is not transmitted from parents to children, so a woman with epilepsy has every chance to give birth to a healthy baby.

However, there are a number of activities from which everything should be refrained: driving, swimming in open water, working with complex mechanisms.

Severe epilepsy is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol and to cancel the appointment of medications prescribed by the doctor.