What are the signs and symptoms of tuberous sclerosis?

How is tuberous sclerosis diagnosed?

Diagnosis of the disorder is based on a careful clinical exam in combination with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain—which may show tubers in the brain, and an ultrasound of the heart, liver, and kidneys, which may show tumors in those organs.

Is tuberous sclerosis a disability?

Qualifying for Social Security Benefits for Tuberous Sclerosis. The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn't have a dedicated disability listing for tuberous sclerosis. However, patients suffering from debilitating symptoms of their tuberous sclerosis may still qualify for benefit payments.

How is tuberous sclerosis inherited?

Tuberous sclerosis complex has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase the risk of developing tumors and other problems with development.

How does tuberous sclerosis affect the eyes?

TSC may cause other eye abnormalities, such as light patches on the retina, spots on the iris, lightly pigmented eyelashes, angiofibromas on the eyelids and small tumors on the surface of the eye. In most people with TSC, these eye manifestations cause no significant visual impairment.

How does tuberous sclerosis affect the brain?

These growths begin to form in the brain prior to birth and can interfere with brain functioning. They can cause seizures, delayed development, intellectual disability, and autistic or hyperactive behaviour.

Is tuberous sclerosis contagious?

Because it is genetic, it can be passed from a parent to a child, or inherited. If one parent has tuberous sclerosis, every child born to that parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the disease.

What is the root cause of epilepsy?

Brain conditions that cause damage to the brain, such as brain tumors or strokes, can cause epilepsy. Stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy in adults older than age 35. Infectious diseases. Infectious diseases, such as meningitis, AIDS and viral encephalitis, can cause epilepsy.

What are the 3 main phases of a seizure?

Seizures take on many different forms and have a beginning (prodrome and aura), middle (ictal) and end (post-ictal) stage.

What foods can trigger seizures?

Stimulants such as tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, sweets, soft drinks, excess salt, spices and animal proteins may trigger seizures by suddenly changing the body's metabolism. Some parents have reported that allergic reactions to certain foods (e.g. white flour) also seem to trigger seizures in their children.

How do you tell if you've had a seizure?

General symptoms or warning signs of a seizure can include:

1. Staring.
2. Jerking movements of the arms and legs.
3. Stiffening of the body.
4. Loss of consciousness.
5. Breathing problems or stopping breathing.
6. Loss of bowel or bladder control.
7. Falling suddenly for no apparent reason, especially when associated with loss of consciousness.

How can they tell if you had a seizure?

An electroencephalogram (EEG) can help your doctor diagnose a seizure. This test measures your brain waves. Viewing brain waves during a seizure can help your doctor diagnose the type of seizure. Imaging scans such as a CT scan or MRI scan also can help by providing a clear picture of the brain.

What it feels like to have a seizure?

Basically, those feel like a big electric jolt to my mind and body, and my body jerks - or spasms - and I have no control of it. They usually come in clusters, almost like hiccups. I often describe them to people as being like when their foot jerks when they are trying to go to sleep.

Is it OK to sleep after a seizure?

Some people recover quickly from a tonic clonic seizure but often they will be very tired, want to sleep and may not feel back to normal for several hours or sometimes days. Most people's seizures will stop on their own and the person will not need any medical help.

What does it feel like right before a seizure?

Some warning signs of possible seizures may include: Odd feelings, often indescribable. Unusual smells, tastes, or feelings. Unusual experiences – "out-of-body" sensations; feeling detached; body looks or feels different; situations or people look unexpectedly familiar or strange.

What can trigger a seizure?

Missed medication, lack of sleep, stress, alcohol, and menstruation are some of the most common triggers, but there are many more. Flashing lights can cause seizures in some people, but it's much less frequent than you might imagine.

What to do if you feel a seizure coming on?

Not all seizures are emergencies. To help someone having a seizure, focus on safety. Give the person room, clear hard or sharp objects, and cushion the head. Don't try to hold the person down, stop movements, or put anything in the person's mouth.

Can you fight off a seizure?

In cases where the aura is a smell, some people are able to fight off seizures by sniffing a strong odor, such as garlic or roses. When the preliminary signs include depression, irritability, or headache, an extra dose of medication (with a doctor's approval) may help prevent an attack.

Can stress cause a seizure?

Emotional stress also can lead to seizures. Emotional stress is usually related to a situation or event that has personal meaning to you. It may be a situation in which you feel a loss of control. In particular, the kind of emotional stress that leads to most seizures is worry or fear.

How can you tell the difference between a Pseudoseizure and a seizure?

Evidence-based answer. During an attack, findings such as asynchronous or side-to-side movements, crying, and eye closure suggest pseudoseizures, whereas occurrence during sleep indicates a true seizure.

What do psychogenic seizures look like?

Frequently, people with PNES may look like they are experiencing generalized convulsions similar to tonic-clonic seizures with falling and shaking. Less frequently, PNES may mimic absence seizures or focal impaired awarneness (previously called complex partial) seizures.

Can stress and lack of sleep cause seizures?

Stress can cause problems sleeping which is also a seizure trigger. Chronic stress can lead to anxiety or depression. Sleep problems are symptoms of these mood problems. Being anxious and depressed can also worsen stress, causing a vicious cycle with more seizures and mood problems.

Does lack of sleep trigger a seizure?

Can sleep deprivation trigger a seizure? Yes, it can. Seizures are very sensitive to sleep patterns. Some people have their first and only seizures after an "all-nighter" at college or after not sleeping well for long periods.

What do sleep seizures look like?

During a nocturnal seizure, you may: cry out or make unusual noises, especially before muscles tense. suddenly appear very rigid. lose bladder control.

What does a non epileptic seizure feel like?

NES can also be similar to partial seizures. These symptoms may include: Jerky or rhythmic movements. Sensations such as tingling, dizziness, feeling full in the stomach.