Epilepsia: sintomas e tratamento em Lisboa

EPILEPSY - Treatment in Lisbon

Specialised neurological assessment and clinical seizure control in Lisbon

WHAT IS EPILEPSY?

Avaliação neurológica e tratamento da Epilepsia — NeuroPsyque Lisboa

A disturbance in the brain's electrical activity

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease characterised by the occurrence of recurrent abnormal and excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells (neurons). It can affect people of all ages, requiring an accurate clinical diagnosis and ongoing management to prevent recurrences and protect brain function.

Most common manifestations (Types of Crisis)

Focal seizures
They affect only one part of the brain and can cause abnormal movements in a limb, sensory changes, a feeling of "déjà vu" or confusion.
Generalised Tonic-Clonic Seizures
They involve the entire brain, causing sudden loss of consciousness, muscle rigidity (tonic phase) and rhythmic tremors (clonic phase).
Crises of Absence
Very brief lapses of consciousness (blank stares), often mistaken for inattention, more common in childhood.
Post-crisis symptoms
Period of confusion, extreme fatigue, drowsiness and headaches after a seizure.

CAUSES AND TRIGGERS

Structural causes

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), brain tumours or severe head trauma that leaves scars and epileptogenic foci in the brain tissue.

Structural

Genetic factors

Inherited predisposition or specific genetic mutations that affect the regulation of the excitability of neurons in the brain.

Genetic

Infectious Causes

Infections of the central nervous system, such as meningitis, viral encephalitis or neurocysticercosis, which cause inflammation or damage to the brain.

Infectious

Triggers (Precipitating Factors)

Severe sleep deprivation, intense stress, flashing lights (photosensitivity), excessive alcohol consumption or failure to take medication.

Triggers

Estudo do cérebro e atividade elétrica na Epilepsia

In around 50% of cases, the exact cause of the epilepsy is not identified and it is classified as idiopathic epilepsy or epilepsy of unknown cause.

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EFFECTIVENESS IN THE TREATMENT OF EPILEPSY

Solid clinical results with advanced neurological follow-up

70%

of people can be seizure-free if correctly diagnosed and treated

50.5%

reach 1 year seizure-free after the first antiepileptic drug in a large longitudinal cohort

63.7%

had been seizure-free for at least 1 year at the end of the long-term clinical follow-up

30%

of patients have drug resistance (2 or more), requiring alternatives

Sources: clinical data, World Health Organisation, Epilepsy, Chen Z et al. (2018), 30-year longitudinal cohort in newly diagnosed epilepsy e Kalilani L et al. (2018), systematic review and meta-analysis on pharmacoresistant epilepsy.

TECHNOLOGY AND THE CLINICAL ENVIRONMENT

Eletroencefalograma e monitorização cerebral

Estimulação e mapeamento de redes neuronais

Terapias de relaxamento para controlo de stress

Mapeamento Cerebral (qEEG) para diagnóstico de epilepsia

Consultório de Neurologia e Neurofisiologia

Espaço Clínico NeuroPsyque - Atendimento Especializado

THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY AND ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS

Epilepsy requires a rigorous diagnosis, often supported by neurophysiological tests (such as the Electroencephalogram - EEG) and imaging tests, in order to correctly classify the type of seizure and the epilepsy syndrome. A vague diagnosis or inadequate treatment can worsen seizures and increase the side effects of medication.

💡 Timely diagnosis and choosing the right drug are crucial to achieving "crisis freedom" and restoring safety and normality to your daily life.

At NeuroPsyque, we monitor the condition from the first seizure to cases that are difficult to control (drug-resistant epilepsy). We offer continuous monitoring, always assessing the need for adjustments, and when indicated, the possibility of using advanced therapies or surgical referral, guaranteeing the protection of your brain function and overall well-being.

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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's about Epilepsy

Does a single seizure mean I have epilepsy?

Not necessarily. An isolated seizure can be triggered by an acute factor (such as a high fever, low blood sugar or severe trauma). The diagnosis of epilepsy is usually established after the occurrence of two or more unprovoked seizures.

Can epilepsy be cured?

In some cases, especially certain childhood epileptic syndromes, the disease can be overcome with age. In adults, the main goal is to control seizures. With the right medication, around 70% of patients manage to live seizure-free, perfectly normal lives.

What should I do if someone close to me has a seizure?

Stay calm. Protect the person's head with something soft, move away dangerous objects and lay them on their side to make breathing easier. Don't try to hold them down or put anything in their mouth. Stay with them until the seizure is over. If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or recurs, call 112 immediately.

Can I drive with epilepsy?

Legislation in Portugal allows you to drive after an established seizure-free period (usually one year for car licences), subject to a favourable report from your neurologist. Monitoring and adherence to medication are essential to maintaining this right.

Can women with epilepsy get pregnant safely?

Yes. However, pregnancy must be strictly planned with the neurologist and obstetrician. The aim is to adjust antiepileptic medication in advance in order to use the safest drugs at the lowest effective dose, guaranteeing the mother's protection and the baby's healthy development.

What to do when medication doesn't work (refractory epilepsy)?

When two or more medications fail to control seizures, we consider epilepsy to be "pharmacoresistant". In these cases, NeuroPsyque carries out an exhaustive reassessment (Neurology) to consider other advanced therapeutic options, such as referral for epilepsy surgery or dietary therapies (such as the ketogenic diet). Contact us for a second opinion.