Reflex epilepsy is a condition where seizures are routinely brought on by external stimulation or, less often, by internal thought processes. Alternately, reflex seizures may coexist with spontaneous seizures in people with pure reflex epilepsy, who nearly exclusively experience seizures in reaction to specific stimuli.
Clinically, reflex seizures may be present as partial or generalized seizures.
Generalized seizures :
The inability to control one's bowels and bladder may occur during or after a seizure.
Unresponsiveness following convulsions.
Confusion
Fatigue
Severe headache.
Partial seizures :
Muscle contraction
Erratic head motions
Blank looks
Eyes squinting and blinking.
Numbness or Tingling
Skin shivering (like ants crawling on the skin)
A hallucination is when you perceive, smell, or hear things that aren't actually there.
Any discomfort or pain
Nausea
Sweating
Red face
Dilated eyes.
A quick heartbeat or pulse
Alterations to vision
Feeling familiar (feeling like current place and time have been experienced before)
Alterations in emotion or mood
For a brief moment, inability to speak.
If you have any of these symptoms visit a Neurologist to be diagnosed and treated properly.
Seizures happen due to different causes and stimulated by certain triggers according to their type.
Visual inducement
Visually induced seizures may result from flickering light.
Removal of visual fixation or light intensity
Complex visual patterns
Viewing particular objects, or other visual stimuli.
Somatosensory stimulation
Light touch
Tapping
Immersion in hot water
Auditory stimulation
The tests listed below can help in Reflex Epilepsy diagnosis and evaluation :
Electroencephalography (EEG) & video EEG Electroencephalography.
Functional MRI with analysis of blood oxygenation level-dependent signal changes.
Ictal Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT)
Reflex seizures must be treated with regular antiepileptic medications and by reducing exposure to the trigger.
People who are photosensitive should normally stay away from screens and avoid discos and video games with bright flashing lights.
People who have hot water epilepsy are encouraged to change their bathing habits, such as using less hot water or avoiding pouring water over their heads.
Treatment with anti-epileptic drugs is used by the majority of patients with reflex seizures.
A single prophylactic dosage of clobazam can be used before bathing in people with hot water epilepsy.
Considerations such as the kind of electroclinical seizure, prior treatment history, patient age, comorbidities, and adverse drug reactions all influence the choice of an AED for reflex seizures.
Valproic acid monotherapy, Levetiracetam, Lamotrigine, Ethosuximide, Topiramate, Zonisamide Lacosamide, Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine, And Phenytoin.
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