Epilepsy can lead to premature mortality when the individual does not receive treatment. Untreated Epilepsy not only causes premature mortality but also causes physical injury, status epilepticus, and cognitive and psychological decline. Individuals experiencing these conditions can live and carry out their work when they adhere to treatment, which involves antiseizure medication, brain surgery, dietary therapy and electrical devices that regulate the excitement of neurons to prevent seizures. Apart from this, the individual undergoes therapy and is monitored till the triggers are identified so that they can prevent them. These treatments are effective in helping individuals live life and be functional in their daily work. This blog highlights the causes of Epilepsy and what happens when it is not treated. 

Causes of Epilepsy 

Structural factors: Epilepsy can be caused by head injuries that go on to impact the brain. It could be due to sports injuries, vehicle accidents, or physical fights that impacted the brain.

Genetic conditions: An alteration to the body’s DNA can cause neurons to experience abnormal excitement, which causes seizures. This could be inherited or a spontaneous abnormality in the body. 

Infections: There are some diseases that cause an abnormal action of the neurons, such as meningitis, viral encephalitis and parasitic infection. These conditions lead to inflammation and scarring, which trigger an abnormality in the brain. 

Autoimmune factors: The condition where an individual’s immune system starts to  fight the brain’s neurons is an autoimmune problem that causes an excitement which triggers seizures. 

What happens when Epilepsy is not treated 

Physical injury: An individual who is prone to experiencing Epilepsy is susceptible to experiencing physical damage. Untreated Seizures can occur at any time, any place, as soon as they are triggered; therefore, one may fall, experience accidents or hurt themselves since they may be in a dangerous environment that may have rough surfaces, harmful objects or even hit their head against something. 

Status epilepticus: Untreated seizures consequently lead to prolonged seizures or back-to-back seizures, which can last up to 5 minutes. These types of seizures are regarded as emergency treatments that demand immediate treatment to prevent fatal brain damage. 

Cognitive and psychological decline:  An individual experiencing untreated seizures may have memory and attention problems, and this may cause stress, anxiety, isolation, and depression, which affect the individual’s ability to function effectively in their work or their day-to-day duties. 

Premature mortality: Seizures that are untreated  progress to increased duration of the seizures and frequent seizures which increases the chances of physical accidents which can lead to fatal consequences and can also lead to sudden death. 

Conclusion 

Epilepsy can indeed cause premature mortality, but with the right treatment, this fatal result can be prevented, allowing a person to live life, achieve their goals and be functional in their day-to-day life. This is why strict adherence to the treatment is important for all age groups; it significantly reduces the occurrences of seizures, the duration of seizures and also the therapy sessions and monitoring can help one identify their triggers. Manas Hospital is renowned for offering a full spectrum of epilepsy treatments to help patients live independent lives. Dr. Anshul Mahajan pioneers a well-structured and facilitated hospital with a team of experienced experts who have helped various patients with Epilepsy. 

FAQ’s 

• Can Epilepsy be permanently treated?

There is no guarantee that Epilepsy can be treated, but there are treatments that offer long-term remission, allowing a person to live a functional life, experiencing significantly reduced seizures. 

• How can I help a person with a seizure?

The best way to help a person experiencing a seizure is by lying the person down gently, ensuring they lie on their side to clear air pathways and avoid putting things in their mouth. 

• What are the common triggers of Epilepsy? 

Epilepsy can be triggered by poor adherence to the medication, stress, alcohol, drugs, lack of sleep and illness.