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We understand that living with epilepsy isn’t easy. It can take a toll on your physical and mental health. But learning about the disease and how it can impact your life can help you manage it better. Read on to know what epilepsy is, its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and how chiropractic care in Singapore offers help.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the electrical activity of your brain to cause repeated, unprovoked seizures. A person is likely to have epilepsy if they have had two or more unprovoked seizures in 24 hours without any apparent cause. Therefore, it is called a seizure disorder.
To better understand the concept, let’s picture our brain as a vast set of electrical circuits. When these electrical circuits become disrupted, they cause sudden bursts of abnormal electrical activity. This sudden discharge of excessive electrical activity disturbs the communication between brain cells and causes involuntary movements, sensations, behaviors and emotions.
Epilepsy can affect people of any age, gender and race. Stats show that almost 50 million people worldwide have this neurological disorder. It is a complex and diverse medical condition that causes different seizure types and patterns. Some people only have brief muscle contractions (convulsions) and lose consciousness, while others may just have a brief lapse in attention.
This condition is often managed as a lifelong condition and requires some lifestyle adjustments. But people with epilepsy can live normal lives, pursue their careers, hobbies and relationships.
What Causes Epilepsy?
Most cases of epilepsy have no known cause. But experts believe that the following factors might contribute to the development of seizure disorder.
Genetic Factors
Research shows that some types of epilepsy are linked with genetics and are likely to run in families. There might be some specific genes that increase the risk of getting epilepsy. These genes may interfere with how brain cells communicate, thus predisposing their carriers to seizures and environmental triggers.
But it doesn’t mean that all the genes linked to epilepsy will be passed down to the next generation. Some children develop gene mutations even if their parents don’t have them.
Brain Infections
Brain infections, such as meningitis, can cause inflammation or damage to neurons that might trigger seizures.
Stroke
Stroke or other vascular disorders can damage blood vessels and brain tissues, which can cause disruption in the electrical activity. According to the CDC, at least 50% of the epilepsy cases in older adults without any other known cause result from stroke.
Prenatal or Perinatal Conditions
Brain injury before, during, or after birth due to infections, lack of oxygen, poor nutrition, or any other cause increases the likelihood of developing epilepsy at a later stage of life.
Metabolic and Developmental Disorders
Certain metabolic conditions, such as GLUT-1 deficiency, and metabolic disorders, like autism and cerebral palsy, can increase the risk of epilepsy.
What Are Epilepsy Symptoms?
Its symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure a person experiences. There are two types of seizures.
1. Focal Seizures:
These are also known as partial or focal onset seizures. These seizures begin in a specific part of your brain. There are two subtypes of focal seizures that include:
Focal onset aware seizures
These are called simple partial seizures. In this type, a person remains awake and conscious during the seizure. Other symptoms include:
- Sudden feelings of fear or joy
- Visual disturbances, such as flashing cards
- Dizziness
- Tingling or numbness
- Changes in the senses
- Feel a sense of déjà vu (a feeling you have already been in the present situation).
- Jerking or muscle twitching in one side of the body.
These types of seizures often serve as a warning or aura before a larger seizure.
Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures
These are called complex partial seizures and alter the person’s sense of consciousness. Its symptoms include:
- Staring blankly
- Unresponsiveness
- Repetitive purposeless movements
- Seemed confused or dazed
2. Generalized Seizures
This type of seizure involves both sides of your brain and affects the whole body. Subtypes include:
Absence seizures
These seizures are called petit mal. They cause you to lose awareness and often start without any warning. They typically last between 3-15 seconds. Other symptoms include:
- Brief staring into space that often goes unnoticed
- Subtle body movements, like lip-smacking
- Complete stopping of activity during a seizure.
Atonic Seizures
These types of seizures cause the sudden loss of muscle tone, causing the person to go limp and fall without any warning. Therefore, atonic seizures are called drop seizures.
Tonic Seizures
These seizures cause the sudden stiffness in your legs, trunk, and arm muscles that typically lasts up to one minute. They affect your consciousness and cause you to fall to the ground.
Clonic Seizures
Clonic seizures cause the repeated, rhythmic jerking or twitching of muscles movements. It typically affects the arms, face, and neck and often lasts less than one or two minutes. During a seizure, patients have no control over their movements, and they might fall to the ground if standing.
Tonic-Clonic Seizures
It is the most well-known type of seizure and is known as the grand mal seizure. It begins with the tonic phase, and the person stiffens, loses his consciousness, and may fall. It is then followed by the clonic phase, causing repeated and rhythmic jerking of limbs. Other symptoms include:
- Loss of bladder control
- Biting tongue
- Loss of consciousness
- Breathing difficulty
- Post-seizure confusion and fatigue
Myoclonic Seizure
Myoclonic seizure causes sudden, brief jerks and twitching of muscles. They often occur in clusters and can happen shortly after waking up. These muscle jerks are often like a sudden shock or jolt that usually lasts only a few seconds.
Diagnosis
If you have a seizure, you must visit your healthcare provider. There can be any serious underlying condition. Note every detail of the fit you had, when it occurred, how it started, and if anything triggered it. Your doctor might ask such questions while taking your detailed medical history. If you don’t remember anything about your seizure, eyewitness accounts from friends or family can be valuable.
Your doctor is likely to order some blood tests to rule out infection, check glucose levels, and assess kidney and liver function. Further, they may order an EEG (electroencephalogram) to study your brain’s electrical activity and to look for any abnormal patterns. He might also ask you to get some of the following imaging tests to look for structural abnormalities.
- MRI
- CT scan
- Single-photon emission computerized tomography
- positron emission tomography (PET)
Epilepsy Treatment
While epilepsy can’t be completely cured, people can achieve good control over seizures through a combination of therapies. The goal of the treatment of epilepsy is to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures and improve the quality of life.
1. Anti-Seizure Medications
This is usually the first line of treatment for epilepsy. The goal of these antiepileptic drugs is to reduce the number of fits. These medications work by balancing the electrical activity in your brain to prevent seizures. Multiple drugs for epilepsy have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Drug choice for epilepsy depends on the seizure type, your age and sex, cost, your health condition, side effects, and your response to the medication. Some of the anti-seizure medications include:
- Levetiracetam
- Topiramate
- Carbamazepine
- Lamotrigine
- Breviracetam
- Valproic acid
Your doctor will try different doses and combinations of drugs to find out what works best for you. The tip is to stick to the regimen your doctor prescribed and never skip a dose without consulting, as sudden withdrawal can trigger a seizure. Some of these medications are not pregnancy-friendly, so let your healthcare provider know if you are planning to conceive.
About two-thirds of the people with epilepsy achieve good seizure control with these medications. But if they don’t work out for you, your doctor might recommend other options, such as surgery.
2. Surgery
Surgery is typically reserved for patients who don’t respond to medications and whose seizures originate from a specific, well-defined part of the brain. It involves the modification of the brain responsible for causing fits. Your surgeon will carefully look for the possible risks of surgery and decide if it’s safe for you.
3. Diet Therapy
A ketogenic diet can help some people with epilepsy control their seizures. Ketogenic diet is a high-fat low carbohydrate diet and changes the body’s metabolism. It causes your body to burn fat (instead of carbohydrates) into ketones. These ketones cross into the brain and provide a more efficient fuel source, thus stabilizing neuronal activity and preventing seizures.
What Are The Complications of Epilepsy?
Besides recurrent seizures, epilepsy can bring a range of complications that can affect your physical and mental well-being. Understanding them can help you take a proactive approach to managing the risk and improving your quality. Some of these complications include: Status Epilepticus (a prolonged seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes). It is an emergency condition and needs immediate medical attention.
- Physical Injuries from falling during a seizure
- Brain damage from a prolonged fit
- Breathing difficulty or choking on food during a seizure
- Depression
- Difficulty learning
How Chiropractic Care Can Help People With Epilepsy?
Chiropractic care is not a substitute for medical treatment, but it can offer several benefits for people with epilepsy. It is focused on correcting spinal misalignments in the body, which affect nerve function throughout the body. By optimising the nervous system, it helps enhance nerve signalling and improves the communication between the brain and body, thus reducing seizures.
Further misaligned spine can cause muscle spasms and nerve compression that might trigger seizures in some people. Chiropractic adjustments can help relieve tension in the muscles and make it easier for your body to function smoothly. It also improves function of the vagus nerve that controls different body functions, including seizure activity.
Spinal manipulation boosts the natural ability of your body to heal itself. It helps reduce pain and discomfort and improve movement. Further, it can help reduce anxiety and depression, thus providing emotional support for people with epilepsy.
At Vitality Chiropractic Centre in Singapore, our experts specialize in Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care. Our clinic is the first of its kind in Singapore, focusing on the upper cervical region to address a variety of health issues, including tremor. We believe that proper spinal alignment is the key to a person’s health and well-being. Our team provides personalized care plans tailored to your individual needs. So what are you waiting for? Contact us right now to gain control over your life!
References
- Epilepsy facts and stats. (2024, May 15). Epilepsy. https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
- Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). (2023, May 4). Overview: Epilepsy. InformedHealth.org – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK343313/
- Weber, Y. G., Biskup, S., Helbig, K. L., Von Spiczak, S., & Lerche, H. (2017). The role of genetic testing in epilepsy diagnosis and management. Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics, 17(8), 739–750. https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2017.1335598
- World Health Organization: WHO. (2024, February 7). Epilepsy. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/epilepsy
Call 8438 9550 or email help@vitalitychiropracticcentres.com today!
Meet Our Chiropractors Specializing in Epilepsy Care in Singapore
Dr Shaan (Traditional and Complimentary Therapy Qualification) is a Chiropractor from London (UK) who graduated from the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (UK) as a Doctor of Chiropractic (not medical doctor or dentist). He has completed post-graduate studies and has been serving patients in Singapore since 2015.
He founded Vitality Chiropractic Centres to open the first Upper Cervical clinic in Singapore, and the only practicing Knee Chest Upper Cervical Technique in South East Asia.
He is the Alliance of Chiropractic (AoC) Chairman for Outreach, organising events within Singapore with the People’s Association and other charities. Shaan has served thousands of patients, with experience in patients with headaches, migraines, vertigo, Meniere’s, trigeminal neuralgia, whiplash, IBS and other chronic nervous system problems.
Dr Jessey (黄钰心矫正师) (Traditional and Complimentary Therapy Qualification) is a Chiropractor from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), graduated from Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (UK) as a Doctor of Chiropractic (not medical doctor or dentist). She has experience serving patients from 2 weeks old to 96 years old prior to moving to Singapore and joining Vitality Chiropractic (活力脊椎矫正中心).
She has completed post-graduate studies and is Singapore’s first female Upper Cervical Chiropractor (上颈椎矫正护理).
Jessey is active in outreach, participating in charitable trips to Cambodia and within Singapore. Jessey has experience helping patients with headaches, migraines, dizziness (眩晕/头晕), Meniere’s (美尼尔氏综合症), slipped disc, anxiety, fibrillations, IBS and other chronic nerve system problems. She also has a special interest in children and younger patients.
If you’ve been struggling with Epilepsy, call 8438 9550, email help@vitalitychiropracticcentres.com or fill in your information below to book your appointment.
Chiropractic Care for Epilepsy – Treatment Rates in Singapore
Here are the expected rates for Chiropractic Care for Epilepsy services at Vitality Chiropractic centres.
Discovery Call
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Jump on a call to discuss your concerns and determine if we are the right fit for you.
Consultation
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During the initial consultation, we will run a physical examination, postural assessment, and nerve system test.
Test Results
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Our chiropractor will explain the findings and test results from the consultation. A customised care plan will then be developed for you.
Single Session
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We will perform a nerve scan and adjustment as needed. Re-examinations and rehab exercises might be implemented.
Written by
Shaan Rai (Chiropractor, Singapore)
Shaan is a British Chiropractor, based in Singapore. He is an Alliance of Chiropractic (AOC) registered Singapore Chiropractor, completing a 5 year course at AECC (UK), attaining his Masters in Chiropractic. He is the Vice President and Chairman for Outreach & Charity for Alliance of Chiropractic (AOC) and is the founder of Vitality Chiropractic Singapore. He developed the NeuroPro method, combining Upper Cervical techniques with Functional Neurology Rehab, with published research coming in 2025.
Dizziness Research in Singapore
Read our case report about our patient with dizziness and hearing loss, and the improvements seen with our care. This was produced by the Australian Spinal Research Foundation, and published in the Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal.
Read Our Book
Shaan authored the book, ‘Dealing With Dizziness – Holistic Solutions For Unexplained Chronic Dizziness, Vertigo, and Balance Problems’.
You can find it on Amazon, or available in our Singapore Chiropractic clinic.
FAQS
Chiropractors are trained doctors of Chiropractic. They train exclusively as doctors of Chiropractic, not as medical doctors or dentists.
This is the same as how a Dentist, TCM or PhD graduate are trained as doctors in their field, but are also not medical doctors.
If you have any previous scans, x-rays, MRI’s or other imaging, please bring them to your appointment. We would also recommend bringing a family member or friend if you need support or to discuss finances.
Your initial Consultation will take approximately 1 hour, your Results will take approximately 45 minutes and follow up Appointments will take 20-35 minutes depending on your case.
After Chiropractic adjustments there can occasionally be side effects. The most common feelings after corrections (especially in the beginning) are:
- No changes yet
- Some stiffness in the muscles or light soreness
- Feeling relief
If there are any other symptoms or sensations experienced, please ensure to consult with your Chiropractor.
Absolutely! If you book using our online system you should get an email immediately then a WhatsApp confirmation from our staff.
For follow up appointments you should receive an email 48 hours before your appointment. If you do not, and you would like reminders, please let us know and we will be able to help. If you receive reminders but do not want to, you can also opt out of these emeails.
On any day you receive an adjustment we would advise taking it easy and drinking plenty of water. Give it at least 2 hours before exercising. If you feel tired then listen to your body and get to sleep early. Upon starting care, we will share a guide for you to take home, with a long list of do’s and don’ts, so you can take an active part in your care.
We recommend wearing something comfortable that you can bend in. While you don’t need to wear gym clothes, clothes which you can move in freely will be helpful for any tests or techniques the doctor will need to perform. For women, if you are wearing a dress or skirt we will provide blankets to cover you.
Chiropractic, and any health approach, will not be the answer for every patient and every health concern. Other Chiropractors may use different techniques and methods which may not produce the same results as Upper Cervical Chiropractic.
Our Chiropractors conduct a thorough history, physical assessment, nerve scans and biomechanical x-rays to determine if this is a case they can help.
If we are not the right fit for you, we will do our best to find the right practitioner for you.
Need Help Living Better With Epilepsy?
Contact Our Singapore Chiropractic Team Today
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Our Epilepsy specialist in Singapore can help.