Seizure Disorders and Social Security Disability Benefits
Seizure disorder, commonly known as epilepsy is a medical condition that involves a disruption in the way signals are transmitted inside the brain. Epilepsy can be diagnosed at any age, and the amount of abnormal brain activity may increase or decrease over time, or even change cerebral location. Seizure disorder has many less-known effects on behavior, emotion and other bodily functions. The intensity of seizures may vary, including those that are subtle and go unnoticed as well as episodes involving violent convulsions. The occurrence of a seizure does not necessarily indicate epilepsy but it’s the primary symptom.
The uncontrolled movements and loss of consciousness characteristic of intense seizures can be debilitating for obvious reasons. There is no way to predict how major or minor the seizure episodes will be or when they will occur. The effects of dysfunctional signals in the brain can translate to any movement of function your brain is involved in. Here is an abbreviated list of some of the disabling effects of seizure disorder:
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Staring/vacant gaze
- Uncontrolled and repetitive movements, such as swallowing, clapping or lip smacking
- Jerking movements of the arms and legs
- Sudden changed in emotions
- Sensory changes such as distorted sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell
- Minimized awareness
- Collapse
- Body stiffening or shaking
- Tongue biting
- Loss of bladder control
- Fatigue, dizziness, and weight gain from anti-epileptic medications
Epilepsy has been linked to genetic defects or abnormalities that cause dysfunction in the communication process that occurs among cells in the brain. While genetic predisposition is one factor that can contribute to the development of epilepsy, environmental factors can play a role too. Injury as a result of an accident or attack, certain diseases, brain tumors and strokes can result in seizure disorders. In many cases, doctors are unable to pinpoint a distinct cause.
Seizure Disorder Treatments
Anti-epileptic medications are very successful for the prevention of seizure episodes, although it may take sometime to get the drug and dosage just right. In people who have seizures that cannot be controlled with anti-epileptics, the medications can work to decrease frequency or minimize the seizure symptoms. In many individuals, the epilepsy condition will simply disappear over time. Surgery, diet changes, and vangus nerve stimulation is also helpful for some
To find out more about seizure disorder and epilepsy please visit the Epilepsy Foundation or WebMD’s Epilepsy Health Center. The Cochran Firm can offer your family skilled legal guidance as you get to get the Social Security Disability Insurance benefits you deserve. You don’t have to go through it alone. Let us help. To schedule a free Social Security disability case review, please contact our Social Security benefits lawyer today.
The Cochran Firm handles Social Security disability claims for clients throughout the United States of America. Please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a free Social Security disability case consultation.
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