Alcoholic epilepsy: signs before the attack

Today, the problem of alcoholism and its consequences for the organism is acute all over the world. According to statistical data, there is always a certain percentage of alcoholics in society. But among them there is a certain percentage of people who are in a particularly difficult, critical condition. One of these conditions is alcoholic epilepsy, which is a serious illness accompanied by seizures and convulsive seizures.

This condition can be explained by severe pathological changes in the brain that occur with prolonged use of alcohol. First, exacerbation occurs at a time when a person drinks alcohol, then it can be observed and in a period when a person does not drink alcohol.

[1], [2], [3], [4]

Epidemiology

According to different types of statistical data, alcohol epilepsy is diagnosed in about 2-5% of people who abuse alcohol for quite a long time. Of these, about 15% develop severe personality disorders. The disease equally affects both men and women. At the same time, 75% of those suffering from epilepsy, abuse alcohol for 5 years or more.

As the practice confirms, it is impossible to cure epilepsy. So, in 98% of cases it does not cure, or develops repeatedly when you use even a small amount of alcohol. One seizure is always followed by the following, they do not happen to be single. It was also found that 70% of patients have normal mental health, 20% have a decrease in intelligence, dementia, and 10% have moderate or obvious mental disorders.

[5], [6], [7], [8]

Causes of the alcohol epilepsy

The main reasons for the development of severe brain pathology, is the prolonged use of alcohol. Also, the trigger mechanism in the development of epileptic seizures is craniocerebral injury, infection and inflammation, atherosclerosis.

The cause may be a previous epileptic seizure, which provoked irreversible changes in the cerebral cortex. They subsequently become the cause of the development of new seizures. It has been established that there are no single seizures. If there was one, then surely, sooner or later, a new one will follow. Over time, seizures tend to only increase and weight, and also to manifestation at any time, regardless of whether the person has drunk something or not.

Risk factors

People who abuse alcohol are at risk: I drink in large quantities for a long period of time. Also, people who use cheap and substandard kinds of alcohol, mixtures, surrogates, fakes are at risk. There is also a high risk of developing a repeat seizure, if one has already been observed.

[9], [10], [11]

Pathogenesis

At the heart of pathogenesis is a pathological change in the structure and function of the brain. In the first place, inter-neural connections in the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures are disturbed. Gradually there is a destruction of synapses between neurons, actually neurons. The most dangerous is a violation of the hypothalamic-pituitary system, neuroendocrine regulation.

A surge of epileptic activity is associated with the response of cellular and tissue structures of the brain. Often is the result of excessive excitation or irritation, especially when exposed to toxins and high temperatures.

[12], [13], [14]

Symptoms of the alcohol epilepsy

The main symptoms are syncope and sudden loss of consciousness, seizures and burning pains. Also, all this is accompanied by a feeling of squeezing, twisting the muscles of the limbs, less often - of the neck. In severe cases of the course of the disease, with its transition to a chronic form, seizures can repeatedly develop again and again, even several times during one day. Often alcoholics feel burning, pain and swelling in the extremities, without cramps.

Often seizures are accompanied by attacks, hallucinations, which are characteristic of alcoholics. Especially often this occurs against the background of the fact that alcoholics collect all their will and throw themselves to drink. In this case, the seizure develops as a reaction of the brain, after a few days. There is a violation of sleep, alcohol delirium continues to progress: a person begins to rave, a chill appears, body temperature rises. The patient becomes aggressive, angry, touchy, picky. Sharply reduced concentration of attention, there is a degradation of personality.

[15]

First signs

The clinical manifestations of alcohol epilepsy are similar to those of ordinary epilepsy. However, it still has its own characteristics. A person becomes aggressive, embittered, and cares at everything. Gradually disrupted behavior, coordination of movements, speech and sleep. Very colorful, quite realistic pictures, visions, dreams can appear. A person becomes emotionally overexcited, unrestrained.

The fact that it has already begun, or soon begins to attack, shows strong muscle cramps, the whole thorax cramps spasm, breathing becomes hoarse, lips turn blue, the skin becomes pale. Some people have nausea, rarely vomiting, a feeling of lack of air, pains appear in various parts of the body.

[16]

Precursors of alcohol epilepsy

At first glance, it seems that epileptic seizures begin suddenly and frighteningly. However, this is not the case. Attacks are never sudden, they have a lot of precursors. First, there is a sharp increase in the sensitivity and sensitivity of a person, there is a feeling of cold, which sharply gives way to heat.

The visual sensations also change: different "points", "figures" can appear before your eyes. A person can not accurately perceive objects located in front of him, has incorrect ideas about the relationship of distances, objects, images, sometimes the space-time connection is lost. The general state of health noticeably worsens, there is a headache, a disturbance of sleep, weakness, weakness, depressed mood. Maybe without a reason to feel a sense of sadness, sadness, apathy.

The person has sharp mood swings: from sharply positive to extremely negative, down to suicidal thoughts. Often there are auditory hallucinations, may increase thirst, rise, or vice versa, dramatically decrease immunity. With severe intoxication, a chill appears, the body temperature rises.

Just before the attack, a person usually loudly screams, then falls to the floor, starts to beat in cramps and spasms. The cause of screaming is often the spasm of the glottis, as well as convulsions in the pectoral muscles. The harbingers of the onset of seizure may occur a few days before its onset.

Stages

There are several stages of the development of the disease. First there is an epileptic reaction, which manifests itself in the form of a fit. Outwardly, it differs little from the usual epileptic fit. Quite often occurs in people who are not exposed to alcohol and drug addiction, but simply are casual consumers of alcohol. As a rule, the attack happens the next day. Very often it is observed after mass holidays, walks at a certain percentage of the drinking population. The reason is usually excessive consumption of alcohol, or consumption of low-quality drinks. Sometimes - an admixture of light drugs, spices. This epilepsy is easily eliminated, mainly, immediately after the poison is released from the body, as a rule, repeated attacks do not occur.

The second stage is the development of an epileptic syndrome, in which a convulsive condition develops. A person develops an aura in the form of mental disorders, which are represented by various illusory and hallucinogenic ideas. Gradually, vegetative disorders join, in particular, sweating, headache, chills. Seizures, as a rule, are not isolated. Almost always develop multiple cases.

The third stage is alcohol epilepsy. This is the most difficult stage, which is a manifestation of true alcoholism. It happens in patients with long alcoholic experience, who drink alcohol regularly, for more than 5 years. This is a neglected stage of pathology, in which frequent drinking-bouts occur, psychoses develop.

Symptoms of alcohol epilepsy before the attack

For some time before the attack, harbingers of the attack develop: the person suddenly changes the emotional background, the person becomes listless, apathetic, or vice versa, aggressive, embittered. Sharply worsens state of health: nausea, vomiting, general weakness, chills, dyspnea may occur. After this, the person falls to the floor, convulsions begin, saliva is released. In general, the symptoms resemble those in the development of an epileptic fit.

[17], [18], [19], [20], [21]

Attack of alcohol epilepsy

The attack develops in several stages. First, the state of the central nervous system changes dramatically, the cerebral cortex is damaged, the innervation of the underlying structures is disrupted. Against this background, convulsive syndromes develop, abnormal muscle contractions, involuntary movements, hyperkinesis, paresis occur. It affects both skeletal muscles and facial muscles.

At this stage, it is important to properly diagnose, so a person should stop drinking, gain strength of will and go to the doctor. It is necessary to carry out differential diagnostics, to precisely differentiate alcoholic convulsive syndrome from convulsions that arise under the influence of various adverse factors, or as a side effect of concomitant diseases. It is important to distinguish from an epileptic fit.

With the exclusion of all other diseases that have similar clinical manifestations, alcohol epilepsy is diagnosed. In most cases, the basis for the diagnosis is a prolonged drinking, a constant abuse of alcohol for several years. There are also radical changes in the brain.

Immediately, the attack manifests itself as a seizure, which manifests itself in the form of involuntary contractions of the whole body, seizures not only of the limbs, but also of individual parts of the body. Also, such attacks can provoke a strong emotional outburst, stress.

[22], [23], [24]

Forms

The classification of epilepsy is based on the scale of the lesion, the features of the pathological process. There are 5 main types of epilepsy.

Idiopathic form implies a form of pathology, in which the cause is not clearly clear. This includes cases in which a person has not consumed alcohol for a long time, and seizures continue.

In cryptogenic form, it is precisely known that there is a definite cause of seizures, but it is not possible to precisely differentiate it. It can be a reaction not only to alcohol, but also the result of various injuries, injuries, progressive brain pathologies.

Symptomatic epilepsy is secondary, with one attack recorded during which irreversible damage occurred in the cerebral cortex. After it repeated repeated, repeated attacks.

In the generalized pathology, the whole brain is involved in the manifestation of the attack, it is impossible to determine the cause and localization of the pathological process unambiguously.

The focal form of epilepsy implies a pathology in which the development of the pathological process occurs solely as a result of the lesion of a particular one or more areas of the brain. Damage usually occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to the brain of alcohol, the reception of poor quality alcohol, as a result of which pathological processes develop.

Complications and consequences

The consequences of alcohol epilepsy are very serious. The disease is incurable. First and foremost, this disease implies abnormalities in the brain, which entail further malfunctions in the nervous and endocrine system, a decrease in immunity, and a disruption of the normal functioning of all organs and systems of the body. Pathologies progress, overlap one another, eventually it is fraught with lethal diseases that are not amenable to treatment. Quite often against a background of reduced immunity, infectious diseases develop.

A dangerous complication is the development of epileptic status, which results in frequent, regular seizures, gradually leading to the development of cerebral edema, deep coma. The breathing and work of the heart can stop. Epileptic status is treated exclusively in the hospital. When worsening, you need to call an ambulance as soon as possible.

Another side of the epilepsy of alcoholic genesis is the profound psychological changes that occur with a person. Epilepsy is often accompanied by personality disorders, in which a person changes beyond recognition. A person loses all interest in work, all his attention is focused either on drinking or on its consequences.

Sharply reduced efficiency. A person is not able to perform even an elementary task, can not concentrate. Sharply decreases labor productivity, time costs, concentration of attention falls. A person can not communicate with surrounding people, loses communication skills, is not able to adequately assess criticism, becomes aggressive, harsh, rude. At home and at work is the initiator of scandals, often unreasonably offended, or accuses others. Usually such a state is no longer subject to change.

Also the danger is in the attack itself. Any of the attacks in a state of intoxication can result in a fatal outcome. Most often in such cases die from strokes during seizures. Also, a person can choke on his own saliva with foam or vomit during the convulsion. It can bite the tongue, as a result of which massive bleeding develops, which is very difficult and almost impossible to stop. A person can suffocate by swallowing his tongue.

No less dangerous are the consequences of seizures. The development of alcoholic delirium, the occurrence of hallucinations is considered to be the most dangerous. Such a state is a danger not only for the person himself, but also for the people around him. During the fit, and after it, many alcoholics become aggressive, stop controlling themselves, they have obsessions, visions. Sometimes there are manic, suicidal tendencies. Over time, alcoholic epilepsy in the absence of treatment can lead to the development of antisocial behavior, as well as to the degradation of the nervous system and the destruction of all internal organs.

[25], [26]

Diagnostics of the alcohol epilepsy

For the diagnosis of the disease should consult a narcologist, or neurologist. You can contact the district therapist who will prescribe the necessary tests and send it to the right doctor. The doctor conducts an anamnesis of life: learns general data about a person, collects information about the education, work, conditions and characteristics of a person's life. It is important to know whether a person has had similar problems before, before he became addicted to alcohol, how he treated alcohol earlier, and how the attitude has changed now. This can play an important role in the diagnosis, choice of tactics and treatment strategies, and will also help to choose the optimal psychological approach to a person.

Also, the doctor takes into account the history of the disease: how long the disease has appeared, what are the features of its course, how the person reacts to the disease, whether it took any measures to stop drinking, to cure, what the results were. Whether there had been epileptic seizures before, how they proceeded, how long they had lasted, what measures were taken to stop it.

Then a survey is conducted, an examination of the person, during which traditional, clinical methods of research are used. Conducted palpation, percussion, auscultation, thermometry, pulse measurement, blood pressure, other vital indicators. There are no special methods for diagnosing alcohol epilepsy. If the received data is not enough to unambiguously diagnose, additional laboratory and instrumental studies are prescribed. Differential diagnosis is also conducted.

[27], [28], [29], [30]

Analyzes

Assign tests if necessary. In order to determine the general picture of pathology, clinical analyzes of blood, urine, and feces are carried out. They can be very informative, and can indicate the general orientation of the processes in the body, on the basis of which it is possible to plan additional, refining analyzes, and also make a plan for further investigation.

So, a blood test can show an increased amount of leukocytes, lymphocytes in the blood, which indicates the development of a viral disease, an inflammatory process. To clarify the data, you can designate virological research methods, immunogram. This will allow to assess the state of immunity, the composition of blood, evaluate the effect of alcohol on the body. The activation of a persistent infection, as well as the addition of a new one, the development of an infectious-inflammatory process as a result of this, is observed quite often, since alcohol significantly disrupts homeostasis, reduces the immune system, nonspecific resistance.

If lymphocytes and neutrophils are inflated in the blood, this may indicate the development of a bacterial infection, the development of a dysbacteriosis with the predominance of opportunistic strains, which occurs against a background of decreased immunity under the influence of alcohol. In this case, to verify the data, it may be necessary to carry out a bacteriological study, an analysis for dysbiosis.

The increased number of eosinophils indicates the development of an allergic reaction, increased sensitization of the body, excessive production of histamine and tissue mediators, basophils. This is observed with allergies, parasitic and invasive diseases, autoimmune pathologies. Quite often, these reactions develop in response to alcohol consumption, because it acts as a toxin and an allergen. The increased number of lymphocytes and eosinophils may indicate a strong intoxication of the body and is the reason for conducting a sensitivity test for allergens (most often scarify samples), as well as for immunoglobulin E, which is an indicator of allergy. Also, if necessary, an analysis is used to determine the level of immunoglobulins A, G, which indicate the state of local immunity of the mucous membranes. This can give a lot of information in determining the stage, features of the course of epilepsy.

The level of erythrocytes will show the state of the hematopoietic system. Decrease may indicate the development of anemia, impaired hematopoietic function, the development of malignant tumors, bone marrow diseases. The level of platelets is one of the indicators of the ability of blood to clot.

On the analysis of urine it is also possible to track the functional state of the organism. First of all, any pathologies will be accompanied by the appearance in the urine of additional salts, formations (oxalates, salicylates, bilirubin). First of all, the analysis allows you to assess the condition of the kidneys, the entire urinary system. Indirectly, one can also judge the condition of the liver. This is very important, because it is these organs and systems that suffer primarily from alcoholism. A large amount of protein, leukocytes in the urine indicate the development of an acute inflammatory process. A bad sign is the appearance of blood in the urine, indicating a severe degenerative changes in the kidneys and liver.

Stool analysis can also be very informative. It allows you to get a clinical picture of the pathological processes occurring in the gastrointestinal tract, the liver, which also suffer from alcohol. There is a degeneration of the mucous membrane, changes in peristalsis and motor skills, as well as the composition and quantity of enzymes. On the analysis of feces it is possible to recognize the signs of dysbacteriosis, intestinal infection, development of malignant growth, which quite often happens under the influence of alcohol. You can detect traces of blood, or detect hidden blood in the stool, which is also an extremely unfavorable sign that may indicate the development of necrotic, degenerative processes in the intestine, stomach.

[31], [32], [33]

Instrumental diagnostics

If there is insufficient data and it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis, additional methods are carried out. For example, encephalographic research makes it possible to establish the nature of epilepsy. With epilepsy of alcoholic etiology, it is impossible to identify common anomalies inherent in the true form of the disease.

In patients suffering from alcoholism, despite the presence of seizures, the usual rhythms of brain biocurrents are found that correspond to the age category. All patients show signs of dementia.

On a computer tomogram or magnetic resonance tomogram, an expansion of the lateral ventricles of the brain can be detected, which is also a hallmark of alcohol pathology.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis is conducted to differentiate the signs of diseases that exhibit similar traits. So, if signs of seizures are found, first of all it is important to separate the true epilepsy from alcohol. This is easily done with the help of instrumental research methods. The most informative can be an encephalogram, a tomography. Alcoholic epilepsy is easily recognized by clinical signs. So, it can disappear after the elimination of the etiological factor, that is, with prolonged abstinence from drinking alcohol. While true epilepsy does not disappear.

Treatment of the alcohol epilepsy

The first step in the treatment of alcoholism, and even more so, the epilepsy of alcoholic genesis, is the voluntary and conscious desire of the patient himself. He must want to stop drinking, to want to change something in his life. Without this item, there is no question of any recovery and progress in therapy. At this stage, a careful approach to the patient is required.

Details about the methods of treatment of alcoholic epilepsy read here.

Prevention

The main measure of prevention is the refusal to drink alcohol, maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is necessary to comply with all the recommendations of the doctor, if necessary, attend counseling by a psychologist, group sessions, maintain a healthy lifestyle. In no case can not ignore the first attack. Only timely treatment can guarantee recovery, and prevent the development of the next attack.

It is important to monitor blood sugar level, constantly measure blood pressure, take necessary medications aimed at fighting alcoholism, seizures. It is important to normalize nutrition, exercise, perform relaxing and breathing practices. Very useful swimming, outdoor sports.

How to avoid alcoholic epilepsy after drinking?

Avoid alcoholic epilepsy can only be after the elimination of the main etiological factor of the disease - alcohol. If a person just left with a binge, the risk of an attack is significantly increased. You can avoid it only if you start gradually to perform light physical exercise, to breathe properly.

A certain role can be played by relaxation exercises aimed at relaxing the muscles and vessels. They should be combined with walks in the fresh air, full nutrition, vitamin supplements. You can also take anticonvulsant drugs, medicines and herbal decoctions, aimed at normalizing the activity of the heart muscle, cerebral vessels.

[34], [35], [36], [37], [38],

Forecast

The effectiveness of treatment in the first place depends on the patient himself, as he must refuse to take alcohol, and this should be a conscious decision. Usually, if a person does not drink alcohol and will follow all the recommendations of a doctor - the prognosis is favorable. Attacks can be prevented. Usually at first they are repeated, but gradually become more and more rare, and subsequently, disappear completely. If you do not comply with the regime and recommendations of a doctor, use alcohol during treatment, the prognosis can be extremely unfavorable, even to a lethal outcome.

Lifespan

Since the presence of epileptic seizures indicates an organic lesion of the brain, the duration of life can be different. Some people diagnosed with alcoholic epilepsy live long enough, but the quality of life is often greatly reduced. First, brain damage always progresses, as a result of which numerous lesions of internal organs and vessels develop, and mental disorders develop. You also need to consider that a person is constantly at risk, and every new attack can end for him with death.

[39], [40], [41]