Diseases & Conditions Blog

When a person suffers from two or more seizures without any medicinal intervention, he is said to have epilepsy. As opposite to the popular belief, late onset epilepsy, that is epilepsy that starts after the age of twenty, is fairly common. However, the etiology, clinical symptoms, presentation of the case and their further consequences on the person and his socio-psychological behavior are totally different from those in childhood.

It is the associates of the epileptic patient who can give valuable information regarding the onset of epilepsy and type of seizures. However, if the elderly patient is dwelling alone, often the initial diagnosis is missed. Either history of recurrent falls or sudden unconsciousness has to be regarded as the guiding symptoms. Also most of the times, in elderly, incidence of general grand-mal-epilepsy, that is generalized convulsions is rare. They often have focal seizures. This further may make diagnosis difficult. That is why diagnosis of epilepsy in elderly has to be done with great caution and one has to rule out various differential diagnoses in order to avoid miss-diagnosing a case. So, a deep study of epilepsy presentation and diagnosis is the major step towards better treatment and consistent results.

Especially one has to rule out extra-pyramidal diseases while diagnosing focal seizures. Patient may complain of involuntary movement of one arm or one leg. This can occur in partial seizures. Also, one has to rule out low sugar levels in diabetic patient, transient ischemic attacks related to reduced blood supply to a lobe of brain, secondary dementias or psychogenic disorders. Also one has to differentiate syncope from epilepsy. One should also take care of occult cerebral ischemia. The seizures may work as stepping stones for further cerebrovascular damage. Also rule out tumors that may present themselves during late adulthood. Beware of medicines like anti-depressants that may at times lead to seizures.

Whatever is the cause, once the diagnosis is made in elderly, reassurance is the main therapy that they require. The doctor should also put the patient on appropriate anticonvulsant drug therapy like carbamazepine, phenytoin or sodium valproate. But in elderly side effects of the drug may be seen little exaggerated than in children. So, a proper monitoring of the case is must. Management of an elderly epileptic is truly a Herculean task!

Do you remember why you joined the gym? Can you recall the exact reason that compelled you to shed those extra kilos? Diets and exercises are begun for a variety of reasons. You may have decided to lose weight on your doctor’s recommendation to prevent future health problems. You may have realized that to avoid inheriting your family’s problems of diabetes and health diseases, weight loss is the only way. You may want to regain the stamina that you once had. You may be required to lose weight for an impending surgery. Or may just be looking forward to a great appearance.

Unfortunately, most people choose to lose weight for the wrong reasons. In this high pressure world of today, societal pressure plays a huge role in decision making. All the magazines that you subscribe to, all the radio channels that you hear and any television program that you see just reinforce your desire to lose to weight. Waif like models waltz down the runway. Glamorous movie stars talk incessantly about their diet. Actors work away maniacally to develop a ‘six-pack’ in record time. All in the name of looking good. Clothes are manufactured to fit these reed thin people. If your are overweight, you may have to walk from store to store in search of that one dress that you can carry off well. No one talks about health. The personality of the stars is such that you feel compelled to look at yourself in the mirror and examine each ounce of fat deposited on your abdomen, your arms and elsewhere. What you see horrifies you and you rush to the nearest gym and also starve yourselves.

What you fail to realize is that the standards that the stars set is not for everyone. They may be going through a rigorous regime to keep up their appearances, but they have the time to do it. You have a job to go to and a home to run- other priorities which take up most of your time. How do you find the balance?

And most importantly, is being thin equivalent to being healthy? Models frequently faint on the runways, overcome by hunger and sheer exhaustion. What you need to understand is that while appearance is fleeting, health is forever. You must not work yourself to lose weight just to look good. The ultimate aim should be to lead a healthy life.