EPILEPSY

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a chronic disorder that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. A seizure is a sudden

rush of electrical activity in the brain.

There are two main types of seizures. Generalized seizures affect the whole brain. Focal, or partial

seizures, affect just one part of the brain.

Causes of epilepsy

Epilepsy may develop after a brain injury or insult. Severe lack of oxygen at birth (asphyxia), head

injury, brain infections (meningitis and encephalitis) may lead to epilepsy. This is called

symptomatic epilepsy or secondary epilepsy.

In many individuals epilepsy may develop without any identifiable cause and then it is called

idiopathic epilepsy or primary epilepsy.

Cryptogenic epilepsy is a condition when no evidence of damage to the brain can be found, but

other symptoms, such as learning difficulties, suggest that damage to the brain has occurred.

Symptoms of epilepsy

Seizures are the most common symptom of epilepsy. A seizure is a result of excessive nerve-cell

discharges in the brain. When there is excess discharge of tiny microscopic electric impulses in
the brain at a region, they travel fast all over the brain via neurons. During a seizure, the electrical

impulses are disrupted, which can cause the brain and body to behave abnormally.

The severity of the seizures can differ from person to person. While some may go into a “trance

like” stage for a few seconds or minutes, others may lose consciousness. Yet others may have

convulsions or uncontrollable shaking of the body.

Types of epilepsy

Seizures are divided into two main types - generalized and partial. Generalized seizures occur if

the abnormal electrical activity affects all or most of the brain. This affects most of the body. A

tonic-clonic seizure is the most common type of generalized seizure. The whole body stiffens and

the person loses consciousness and falls. This is followed by a violent uncontrollable shaking.

Absence seizure is another type of generalized seizure. The person may lose consciousness or

awareness. This is common in children. Other types include a myoclonic seizure, a tonic seizure

and an atonic seizure.

Partial seizures are also called focal seizures. Here only one part of the brain is affected. There

may be localized (focal) symptoms. These may be simple partial seizures or complex partial

seizures.

Sometimes a partial seizure develops into a generalized seizure. This is called a secondary

generalized seizure.
Diagnosis of epilepsy

Epilepsy is most often diagnosed after more than one seizure or fit. Description of the seizure

and its video recording often helps to diagnose the type of epilepsy. Scans of the brain using CT

scans and MRI are used to detect visible brain damage. EEG or Electro Encephalogram is used to

detect the electrical activities of the brain.

Epilepsy treatment

Epilepsy generally has no cure. There are however several medications that can be used to

control seizures. These are known as anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). In around 70% of cases, seizures

are successfully controlled by AEDs. The right dose and combination or type of drug may require

some trials and adjustments. In some cases, surgery may be used to remove the area of the brain

affected or to install an electrical device that can help control seizures.

Sources

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Epilepsy/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001714/

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Epilepsy-A-General-Introduction.htm

http://www.who.int/mental_health/media/en/639.pdf