EPILEPSY AND CONCUSSIONS

Epilepsy—often referred to as a seizure disorder—is a neurological condition marked by repeated, unprovoked seizures. There are many types of epilepsy. For some individuals, the cause is known, such as a brain injury or genetic condition. For others, the origin remains a mystery.

You might be surprised to learn how common epilepsy really is. According to the CDC, about 1.2% of people in the U.S. are living with active epilepsy. It affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life.

Seizures don’t look the same for everyone. Some people remain fully aware during an episode, while others may lose consciousness. Symptoms can range from brief staring spells to convulsive movements like arm and leg jerking.

Concussions—especially when repeated—can increase the risk of developing neurological issues, including post-traumatic epilepsy. While a single concussion may not cause permanent damage, multiple or severe injuries can lead to long-term problems with memory, mood, balance, sleep, and cognition. Over time, repeated brain trauma may even raise the risk for chronic conditions like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

If you’ve experienced a head injury or have concerns about seizures, understanding the connection between brain trauma and epilepsy is essential. Early evaluation and treatment can make a critical difference in long-term brain health and quality of life.

What is Epilepsy and What Triggers Seizures?

Epilepsy affects nearly 3.4 million Americans, according to the CDC. Seizures occur when abnormal electrical activity surges in the brain. For some, seizures are predictable and tied to specific triggers; for others, they may appear without warning.

There are more than 30 different types of seizures, and not all of them are easy to recognize. Some may cause a person to appear confused or to stare blankly into space, while others can lead to sudden falls, shaking, and a complete loss of awareness of their surroundings.

A few of the more common seizure triggers include:

StressBright or flashing lights
Illness or fever
Hormonal changes
Sleep deprivation

That last one—poor sleep—is often overlooked but can be one of the most powerful contributors to seizure activity.

epilepsy and seizure management through sleep

Diagnosis and Monitoring Protocols Based on Epilepsy, Seizures, and Other Conditions

If you’re looking for conditions that require EEG (Electroencephalography), rEEG (Rapid EEG), and vEEG (Video EEG) for diagnosis and monitoring, here’s a breakdown by category:

1. Epilepsy & Seizure-Related Conditions

EEG, rEEG, and vEEG are essential tools for diagnosing and monitoring seizure disorders, including:

Epilepsy (Focal & Generalized Seizures)
Absence Seizures (Petit Mal)
Tonic-Clonic Seizures (Grand Mal)
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE)
Frontal Lobe Epilepsy (FLE)
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME)
Status Epilepticus (Prolonged Seizures)
Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) – Differentiated using vEEG.

Why EEG is Used:

Detects abnormal electrical brain activity.
Helps classify seizure types for proper treatment.
Monitors the effectiveness of epilepsy treatment.• Moni

2. Head Trauma & Concussions

Concussions and other brain injuries can disrupt regular brain waves, requiring EEG monitoring:

Post-Concussion Syndrome – Symptoms persisting after a mild TBI.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – EEG helps assess brain function after injury.
Second Impact Syndrome – Rare but fatal brain swelling after a second concussion.

Why EEG is Used:
• Detects abnormal slowing or spikes in brain waves.
• Identifies post-traumatic epilepsy (seizures after brain injury).
• Rapid EEG (rEEG) is used in emergency settings for quick assessment.

3. Sleep Disorders

Sleep-related EEG testing helps diagnose conditions such as:

Narcolepsy – Evaluated using multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT) with EEG.
Sleep Apnea – Often detected during polysomnography with EEG.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) – Abnormal movements during sleep were detected on the EEG.

Why EEG is Used:

Identifies abnormal sleep patterns.
Detects seizure-like activity in sleep.

4. Stroke & Vascular Disorders

EEG can help in the early detection and monitoring of stroke-related conditions:

Ischemic Stroke – EEG may show slowing in affected brain areas.
Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA, “Mini-Stroke”) – EEG can help detect subtle dysfunction.
EEG can monitor for seizure activity post-stroke.• Hemorrhagic Stroke

Why EEG is Used:

Detects slowing or suppression of brain waves.
Monitors the risk of post-stroke seizures.

5. Neurodegenerative & Cognitive Disorders

EEG can assist in diagnosing and monitoring conditions like:

Dementia (Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, etc.) – EEG may show slowing of brain activity.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) – Rapid EEG changes help confirm diagnosis.
Encephalopathy (Metabolic, Toxic, or Infectious) – EEG detects diffuse slowing or triphasic waves.

Why EEG is Used:

Identifies abnormal electrical slowing or sharp waves.
Helps differentiate types of dementia or brain dysfunction.

6. Infections & Autoimmune Disorders Affecting the Brain

Brain infections and autoimmune diseases can cause seizure-like activity:

Meningitis & Encephalitis – EEG detects cortical irritability.
Autoimmune Encephalitis (e.g., Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis) – EEG shows extreme delta brush patterns.
Reye’s Syndrome – A Rare condition affecting children; EEG shows slowing.

Why EEG is Used:

Identifies seizure risk in infections.
Monitors response to treatment.

Types of EEG Tests & Their Uses

1. Standard EEG – A short 20-40 minute recording to detect abnormal brain activity.
2. Rapid EEG (rEEG) – Used in emergency settings for quick assessment of seizures or brain function.
3. Video EEG (vEEG) – Long-term monitoring with video to capture seizure events and correlate with EEG changes.
4. Ambulatory EEG – A portable EEG device worn for 24-72 hours to detect intermittent seizure activity.

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