Four Things to Know About Seizures
Seizures and seizure disorders impact a huge number of individuals both in the US and across the world. In the United States alone, about 10% of people will have at least one seizure in their lifetime, and 1 in 26 will develop epilepsy. Living with seizures is incredibly challenging and can have a huge impact on quality of life. In general, the stigmas and challenges associated with seizures are typically more severe than the seizures themselves, but being educated about seizures and seizure disorders will help both you and those around you. Here are four important things to know about seizures.
#1. The causes are primarily unknown.
Doctors know that seizures occur due to a neurological problem, but the extent of that problem and the exact issue is unknown. Causes can be different in different people, and some people may be able to pinpoint triggers or the causes of certain seizures. Congenital conditions, traumatic brain injury, infection, stroke, childhood injuries, and severe infections have all been linked to seizures in some cases, but the only common problem in all seizure sufferers is some sort of neurological malfunction.
#2. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that results in chronic seizures.
Epilepsy is the same thing as a chronic seizure disorder, and it has more to do with the recurrence of unpredictable seizures than of the cause of those seizures. Epilepsy is a spectrum condition, meaning that people may have any level of severity and frequency of seizures. The cause of epilepsy, as with most seizures, is generally unknown, and while individuals with epilepsy may have a family history or other neurological challenges, sometimes there is no clear reason for epilepsy.
#3. The effects of seizures can be far-reaching.
Because seizures are rooted in the central nervous system, they can impact all areas and systems of the body, and their effects can be from very mild to extremely severe and life-threatening. Seizure sufferers may vomit, fall down, lose control of bowels and bladder, and more during an actual seizure. Generally speaking, after a seizure, individuals won’t remember what happened and will be confused, and they may experience extreme sleepiness, severe headaches, depression, an abnormal heartbeat, and labored breathing.
#4. Chiropractic care is one of the most effective forms of seizure treatment.
Because seizures stem from the central nervous system, chiropractors are one of the best doctors to see when you’re struggling with seizures or seizure disorders. Lots of research has been done regarding the impact of the vagus nerve on seizures. This nerve is located at the top of the neck where the brain meets the spinal cord, and specific chiropractic adjustments can relieve any pressure on this nerve so that the body can function optimally.
If you or your loved one is suffering from seizures of any kind of severity, set up an appointment with Dr. Brendan Shanahan and Dr. Thomas Madigan at Vitality Precision Chiropractic in Rochester Hills. They will teach you about how their practice of neurologically-based chiropractic care can improve your overall health and decrease the frequency and severity of your seizures.