Jan Zimmermann, who gained fame through his YouTube channel “Gewitter im Kopf”, has died at the age of 27. According to his relatives, he died of an epileptic seizure. What happens in the body.
YouTuber “Thunderstorm in the Head” Jan Zimmermann died from an epileptic seizure
Epilepsy is a neurological disease. However, typical seizures can also occur without this disease – the so-called occasional seizures, which are triggered by external influences such as acute illness or brain injury.
- how many nerve cells transmit signals,
- exactly which areas of the brain are affected
- and how far the waste is spread.
Epileptic seizures: This is what happens inside the body
Become general two types of epileptic seizures distinguished: generalized And focus Seizures.
Generalized seizures According to “Gesundheitinformation.de”, this affects the entire brain and often causes loss of consciousness and cramps throughout the body.
Some generalized seizures only last a few seconds and cause abstraction within a short time. This can happen up to 100 times a day.
Sometimes the limbs become stiff and cramp or muscle tension suddenly decreases, causing the legs to become weak, for example. Additionally, individual large muscle groups or the entire body can move at different speeds and intensities; Those affected often lose consciousness.
Focal seizures On the other hand, they appear in limited areas of the brain, causing sensory, visual and motor seizures. The so-called aura is the first sign of a focal seizure and is accompanied by changes in sensory perception.
Those affected smell and taste differently, hear unusual sounds and see flashes of light, and involuntarily wince or stammer. Numbness, tingling in the body and twitching may also occur. Some sufferers smack their lips, lick their lips, or fidget. Additionally, dizziness, anxiety, and hallucinations may occur. Other typical symptoms include heart palpitations, sweating, and brief pauses in speech.
Permanent brain damage after a seizure is rare
Usually, an epileptic seizure ends after two to three minutes and stops on its own. If it lasts more than five minutes, it’s an emergency. This “status epilepticus” must be treated with medication.
Although many sufferers feel well again a few minutes after an epileptic attack, there are also those who need a lot of rest and sleep after a severe attack. Some of them struggle with side effects, such as memory problems or depressed mood. Permanent brain damage or intellectual disability does not cause epileptic seizures.
One in 1,000 people dies suddenly after an epileptic seizure
However, in rare cases, epileptic seizures can be fatal. For example, if the sufferer has an accident during a seizure that is difficult to control, for example experiencing a life-threatening injury due to a fall – or dies suddenly as a result of the seizure.
Sudden and unexpected death caused by such seizures is also known as “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy” (SUDEP). Every year it affects one in 1000 people with epilepsy. SUDEP often occurs after a severe epileptic seizure, especially during sleep.
Which increases the risk of SUDEP
How SUDEP occurs has not been definitively clarified. The cause may be because epileptic seizures inhibit activity in the brain stem. This causes breathing to stop. However, because protective reflexes in the brain are reduced as a result of the attack, the body is not alerted – and the affected person does not wake up. As a result, the brain no longer gets an adequate supply of oxygen and the heart and lungs fail to function.
The risk of SUDEP increases if a person
- have epileptic seizures that are severe and difficult to treat
- taking his epilepsy medication irregularly or stopping it suddenly
- experiencing epileptic attacks, especially at night
- sleep in a prone position
- and live alone, so there is no help on site in case of emergency.
How those affected can try to reduce the risk of sudden death from epilepsy
To prevent SUDEP, the same measures are recommended as for preventing generalized seizures. These include:
- regular intake of prescribed medications
- If necessary, adjust treatment as recommended by your doctor if the attack gets worse
- Avoiding triggers (e.g. lack of sleep or alcohol consumption)
Monitoring devices can also help detect seizures at night. They also monitor heart rate and breathing and can notify relatives in an emergency. The device can be worn as a bracelet or attached to a mattress as a sensor. If a doctor prescribes this, those affected can apply to have the costs covered by their health insurance company.
