What test should I do for my tiredness and blackouts at 19?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 19 years old. I have had two episodes this year where I woke up confused, had bitten my tongue, and was extremely tired afterwards. My parents think they might be seizures. I also play basketball and sometimes get dizzy or blank out during intense practice. Please tell me,

Could this be related to poor sleep or low blood sugar, or should we be looking into epilepsy?
What tests should I ask for?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Based on what you have described, waking up confused, tongue biting, extreme fatigue after the episodes, and occasional dizziness or blanking out during sports, these could be signs of seizures. Particularly, this can be related to generalized tonic-clonic seizures or possibly focal seizures with impaired awareness. While it is possible that factors like sleep deprivation or low blood sugar could play a role, the symptoms you have had deserve a proper neurological evaluation to rule out epilepsy.

Here is what you should discuss with your doctor:

Neurology referral: Ask your doctor to refer you to a neurologist who can assess for seizure activity.

You can do the following tests to detect the reason for seizures:

EEG (Electroencephalogram): This test measures your brain activity and helps detect abnormal electrical patterns seen in epilepsy.
Brain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): Your detailed brain scan is needed to look for structural abnormalities that might cause seizures.
Blood tests: Tests can detect glucose levels, electrolytes, and other markers that could affect brain function.

Apart from these, you can do the following things to manage seizures,

Seizure diary: Start tracking any episodes, when they happen, what you remember, and what others observe. Include notes on sleep, stress, diet, and exercise before the episode.
Safety considerations: Until a clear diagnosis is made, you should try to avoid risky activities like swimming alone or climbing without supervision. It is also worth talking with your coach about your symptoms, especially since they occur during intense practice.

Early evaluation is important in your case because seizures can sometimes be subtle or confused with other conditions. With the right diagnosis, many teens with epilepsy manage it successfully and continue playing sports and living full lives.

I hope this information helps you.

Feel free to ask further queries.

Thank you.