This week, Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Sarah Schmitt about epilepsy and common triggers that may initiate a seizure in individuals with epilepsy. Dr. Schmitt is a Professor of Neurology and a neurologist at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at MUSC.
TRANSCRIPT:
Conner: I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio with Health Focus here at the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. It's estimated that over 45,000 people in South Carolina are living with epilepsy. Doctor Sarah Schmitt is here to talk about this condition and some of the common triggers that might initiate a seizure in individuals with epilepsy. Doctor Schmitt is a Professor of Neurology, and she's a neurologist at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at MUSC. Doctor Schmitt, tell us about epilepsy.
Dr. Schmitt: Epilepsy is a condition in which somebody suffers from seizures that occur repeatedly. It most commonly occurs in individuals who have some type of abnormality within the structure of their brain, but in up to one out of three individuals who have epilepsy, there may be no obvious reason why the seizures develop.
Conner: And how is epilepsy diagnosed?
Dr. Schmitt: The classic way that we diagnose epilepsy is with what's called an electroencephalogram or an EEG, and that looks at the brainwaves of somebody who is suspected of having seizures or epilepsy. When somebody is prone to having seizures, we can often see evidence of brainwaves firing together. That suggests that somebody's brain is more excitable than usual, which can suggest that they are at risk for developing seizures.
Conner: And I understand just in everyday routines, there are some things that can trigger or initiate a seizure in people with epilepsy. Tell us about common triggers.
Dr. Schmitt: The most common thing that we see that triggers people with epilepsy is sleep deprivation, not getting a good night's sleep. So, when patients with epilepsy are very tired, they are at a much higher risk for having seizures. Other common triggers that we encounter can include things like breathing very quickly or hyperventilation. For a small percentage of patients with epilepsy, flashing lights can be a trigger. For many individuals infections like cold, flu, or other infections can be a trigger. And some types of medicines, like decongestant medicines or even over-the-counter Benadryl, can sometimes worsen seizures in individuals who are prone to seizures from epilepsy.
Conner: Well, what do you tell your patients as far as what they can do to minimize or reduce the chance of these triggers?
Dr. Schmitt: One of the most important things they can do is make sure that, at the very least, they're giving themselves enough time for sleep so that their body has a chance to minimize the risk of fatigue and exhaustion that increases the risk for seizures. They can also avoid using alcohol or decongestant medicines. That might increase the risk for going on to develop seizures. And for individuals who know that their seizures are triggered by flashing lights, they can avoid being in environments in which those flashing lights are likely to occur. If they do find themselves in an environment with flashing lights, covering their eyes can help them to minimize the risk of going on to develop a seizure.
Conner: Tell us about treatment for epilepsy.
Dr. Schmitt: About two-thirds of patients with epilepsy can be effectively controlled with antiseizure medicines. For the remainder, there are many options, including surgical therapies and dietary therapies.
Conner: Dr. Schmitt, thanks for this information about epilepsy.
Dr. Schmitt: You're welcome.
Conner: From the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio.
Health Focus transcripts are intended to accurately represent the original audio version of the program; however, some discrepancies or inaccuracies may exist. The audio format serves as the official record of Health Focus programming.
