Disease: Frontal lobe seizures

    Overview

    Frontal lobe seizures are a common form of epilepsy, a neurological disorder in which clusters of brain cells send abnormal signals and cause seizures. These types of seizures originate in the front of the brain.

    Frontal lobe seizures may also be caused by abnormal brain tissue, infection, injury, stroke, tumors or other conditions.

    Because the frontal lobe is large and has many important functions, frontal lobe seizures may produce a number of unusual symptoms that can appear to be related to a psychiatric problem or a sleep disorder.

    Frontal lobe seizures often occur during sleep and may feature bicycle pedaling motions and pelvic thrusting. Some people scream profanities or laugh during frontal lobe seizures.

    Medications usually can control frontal lobe seizures, but surgery or an electrical stimulation device may be options if anti-epileptic drugs aren't effective.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Symptoms

    Frontal lobe seizures usually last less than 30 seconds and often occur during sleep. In some cases, recovery may be immediate.

    Signs and symptoms of frontal lobe seizures may include:

    • Head and eye movement to one side
    • Complete or partial unresponsiveness or difficulty speaking
    • Explosive screams, including profanities, or laughter
    • Abnormal body posturing, such as one arm extending while the other flexes, as if the person is posing like a fencer
    • Repetitive movements, such as rocking, bicycle pedaling or pelvic thrusting

    When to see a doctor

    See your doctor if you're having signs or symptoms of a seizure. Call 911 or call for emergency medical help if you observe someone having a seizure that lasts more than five minutes.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Causes

    Frontal lobe seizures, or frontal lobe epilepsy, may be caused by abnormalities — such as tumors, stroke, infection or traumatic injuries — in the brain's frontal lobes.

    Frontal lobe seizures are also associated with a rare inherited disorder called autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. If one of your parents has this form of frontal lobe epilepsy, you have a 50 percent chance of inheriting this abnormal gene that causes this disorder and developing the disease yourself.

    In about half of cases, however, the cause of frontal lobe epilepsy remains unknown.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Diagnosis

    Frontal lobe epilepsy can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms may be mistaken for psychiatric problems or sleep disorders, such as night terrors. It has not been studied as much as some other types of epilepsy. It's possible that some seizure effects found in the frontal lobe may be the result of seizures that begin in other parts of the brain.

    Your doctor will first review your symptoms and medical history and give you a physical exam. Your physical may include a neurological exam, which will assess:

    • Muscle strength
    • Sensory skills
    • Hearing and speech
    • Vision
    • Coordination and balance

    Your doctor may suggest the following tests.

    • Brain scans. Frontal lobe seizures can be caused by tumors, abnormal blood vessels or injuries. Brain imaging, usually an MRI, may reveal the source. An MRI uses radio waves and a powerful magnetic field to produce very detailed images of soft tissues such as the brain.

      To undergo an MRI scan, you must lie on a narrow pallet that slides into a long tube. The test often takes about an hour to complete. Some people may feel claustrophobic inside MRI machines, although the test itself is painless.

    • Electroencephalogram (EEG). An EEG monitors the electrical activity in your brain via a series of electrodes attached to your scalp. EEGs are often helpful in diagnosing some types of epilepsy, but results may be normal in frontal lobe epilepsy.
    • Video EEG. Video EEG is usually performed during an overnight stay at a hospital's sleep clinic. Both a video camera and an EEG monitor run all night. Doctors can then match what physically occurs when you have a seizure with what appears on the EEG at the same time.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Complications

    • Status epilepticus. Frontal lobe seizures tend to occur in clusters and may provoke a dangerous condition called status epilepticus — in which seizure activity lasts much longer than usual. Seizures that last longer than five minutes should be treated as a medical emergency.
    • Injury. The motions that occur during frontal lobe seizures sometimes result in injury to the person experiencing the seizure.
    • Other brain functions. Depending on the frequency and duration of seizures, frontal lobe epilepsy may affect memory, motor skills and other brain functions. However, more research is needed.
    • Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). For unknown reasons, people who have seizures have a greater than average risk of dying unexpectedly. Possible factors include heart or breathing problems, perhaps related to genetic abnormalities.

      Controlling seizures as well as possible with medication appears to be the best prevention for SUDEP.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Alternative medicine

    People with common neurological conditions, including seizures, may turn to complementary and alternative medicine for treatment, such as:

    • Herbal medicines
    • Acupuncture
    • Psychotherapy
    • Mind-body techniques
    • Homeopathy

    Researchers are looking into these therapies, hoping to determine their safety and effectiveness, but good evidence is mostly still lacking. There is some evidence that a strict high-fat, low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diet may be effective, particularly for children.

    Many people with epilepsy use herbal remedies in particular. However, there is little evidence for their effectiveness and some can cause an increased risk of seizures.

    Marijuana (cannabis) is one of the most commonly used herbal remedies for treating epilepsy. Current evidence does not show that cannabis is useful for treating epilepsy. However, little data are available and research into its usefulness is ongoing. It's important to let your doctor know if you are using cannabis.

    The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate herbal products, and they can interact with other anti-epileptic drugs you take, putting your health at risk. Make sure to talk with your doctor before taking any herbal or dietary supplements for your seizures.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Lifestyle and home remedies

    Some seizures may be triggered by alcohol intake, smoking and especially lack of sleep. There is also evidence that severe stress can provoke seizures, and that seizures themselves can cause stress. Avoiding these triggers where possible may help improve seizure control.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Coping and support

    People who have epilepsy may be embarrassed or frustrated by their condition. Frontal lobe seizures may be especially embarrassing because they sometimes feature loud vocalizations or sexual movements.

    It helps if family members can encourage a positive outlook. Parents can find information, resources and emotional connections from support groups to help their children and themselves. Counseling can be helpful as well. Adults with epilepsy also can find support through in-person and online groups.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

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