Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a disorder of the nervous system in which the patient is prone to seizures. Epileptic seizures are caused by a series of neuronal misfires in the brain. Seizures are characterized by a lack of consciousness and are not, in themselves, harmful or painful. The chaotic signaling in the brain during an epileptic seizure disrupts the brain's ability to communicate with the body, disrupting most bodily functions.

Causes

Epilepsy can be caused by brain damage during birth, a stroke, physical violence which damages the brain, or an infection, like meningitis, which floods the skull with fluid, or a brain tumor. Often there is no known cause of the epilepsy; this type of epilepsy is referred to as "idiopathic" epilepsy.

Seizures

Epilepsy is marked by common and re-occurring seizures. One might have a seizure without having epilepsy, though one cannot have epilepsy without having seizures.

There are two major types of seizures: partial and generalized. Partial seizures involve only part of the brain, while generalized seizures involve the entire brain.

Minor seizures may involve only a momentary loss of consciousness, perhaps lasting only a few seconds. More serious seizures may find the patient on the ground with jerking, irregular body movements.

A tonic-clonic seizure is the most common type of seizure associated with epilepsy. This type of seizure used to be referred to as a "gran-mal" seizure. It is characterized by a loss of consciousness, jerking movements and irregular breathing.

Absence seizures (petite mal) are a momentary loss of consciousness. The patient may appear only confused momentarily. Usually the patient returns to their task or conversation with no recollection of the seizure.

Atonic seizures are marked by a temporary loss of muscle control and cause the patient to drop to the ground suddenly. Myoclonic seizures are similar, but are marked by a sudden jerking in one or more muscles.

Treatment

While there is no cure for epilepsy, seizures can be somewhat controlled with medication and certain medical procedures. The medications offered work to calm the brain, but their exact functions are un-known as relatively little is known about epilepsy itself.

The Epileptic Life

As there are only treatments for epilepsy, and not cures, patients must learn to live with the disease. Epileptics are advised not to use alcohol or other recreational drugs as a seizure while under the influence could be especially harmful. Epileptics are not able to legally drive a car because of the risk of seizure while behind the wheel.

Common seizures can lead to many difficulties in the work place and at home. It is not uncommon for epileptics to become depressed and feel a lack of control over their lives. Seizures can be dangerous. If unattended, the patient may hurt themselves during a seizure by colliding with nearby objects, falling distances to the ground or choking while on their back.

Epileptic people may benefit from those welfare benefits offered to the disabled. Often discounted public services such as transportation and discounted medical care are offered to epileptics and, with treatment, 70% of epileptics report being able to control their seizures nearly completely and living relatively normal lives.