What is post -traumatic epilepsy?
Post -traumatic epilepsy is a condition characterized by regular seizures after the impact of the head caused by falling, crash or clicking on the skull. This form of epilepsy can also cause penetration of skulls with balls and other objects. The risk of post -traumatic epilepsy is particularly high if the skull is broken, the results of a serious shock or intracranial hematoma, which is an association of blood in the skull after the vein or artery rupture. Victims that experience more than a day of amnesia or unconsciousness due to head injury are also at risk of epilepsy after injury.
doctors continue to investigate the cause of post -traumatic epilepsy; Some studies suggest that it is associated with damage to free radicals caused by brain injury. Other studies suggest that genetics plays a role in who develops recurring seizures after the trauma. Because seizures are cramps caused by damage to brain tissue, any impact that causes depression in soft tissues can create a risk of posttraumaticé epilepsy. Surgical removal of damaged brain tissue after injury can also.
The calculated tomographic (CT) scan helps doctors to determine the severity of the brain damage and exactly what physical, biochemical or mechanical changes have occurred. Blood flow to the brain is often limited or changes in brain metabolism occur. The brain balance may also be damaged by injury, stress for a sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system, and exposing the victim to the risk of post -traumatic epilepsy by distortion of brain signals. Doctors can study brain imaging to determine whether post -traumatic seizures are likely and what surgery or treatment should be performed.
seizures resulting from post -traumatic epilepsy may be temporary or permanent. Some victims of brain injuries experience immediate seizures that arise within a few hours and repeating several days orweeks. Others, however, may suffer seizures for five years or more.
Although seizures do not start immediately, it does not mean that the victim has escaped post -traumatic epilepsy. Doctors warn that some individuals with latent post -traumatic epilepsy can go two to 15 years without symptoms before they have the first episode of seizures related to injury. The seizures themselves are likely to cause further brain injuries, scientists say.
Seizures can be stopped with medical intervention. In some cases, seizures of post -traumatic epilepsy will spontaneously cease to themselves. Although this form of epilepsy can affect anyone, some demographic data were particularly susceptible, such as construction workers and war veterans who endured brain injuries.