What is Epilepsy
About 39 million people are living with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a group of neurological disorders characterized by epileptic seizures. Epileptic seizures are episodes that can vary from brief and nearly undetectable periods to long periods of vigorous shaking. These episodes can result in physical injuries, including occasionally broken bones. In epilepsy, seizures tend to recur and may have no immediate underlying cause. Isolated seizures that are provoked by a specific cause such as poisoning are not deemed to represent epilepsy. People with epilepsy may be treated differently in various areas of the world and experience varying degrees of social stigma due to their condition.
Living with epilepsy is more common in older people.The cause of most cases of epilepsy is unknown.Some cases occur as the result of brain injury, stroke, brain tumors, infections of the brain, and birth defects through a process known as epileptogenesis. Known genetic mutations are directly linked to a small proportion of cases. Epileptic seizures are the result of excessive and abnormal neuronal activity in the cortex of the brain. The diagnosis involves ruling out other conditions that might cause similar symptoms, such as fainting, and determining if another cause of seizures is present, such as alcohol withdrawal or electrolyte problems. This may be partly done by imaging the brain and performing blood tests. Epilepsy can often be confirmed with an electroencephalogram (EEG), but a normal test does not rule out the condition.
Epilepsy that occurs as a result of other issues may be preventable. Seizures are controllable with medication in about 70% of cases. Inexpensive options are often available. In those whose seizures do not respond to medication, surgery, neurostimulation or dietary changes may then be considered. Not all cases of epilepsy are lifelong, and many people improve to the point that treatment is no longer needed.
All types of epilepsy have seizures as a symptom. These are surges of electricity in your brain. They’re like electrical storms that briefly stop your brain cells from working normally.
If you had a seizure caused by epilepsy, your doctor will follow three steps to give you the right diagnosis.
Figure out the type of seizure you had
Based on the type of seizure, figure out the type of epilepsy you have
Decide whether you have a specific epilepsy syndrome as well
To come up with answers, your doctor will ask you questions and run tests, like an electroencephalogram (EEG) to check your brain waves.
Overview of Epilepsy Types
There are several types of epilepsy, each with different causes, symptoms and treatments. Learn about idiopathic epilepsy, symptomatic epilepsy, and other types.
Refractory Epilepsy
If your doctor says you have refractory epilepsy, it means that medicine isn’t bringing your seizures under control.
Photosensitive Epilepsy
People with photosensitive epilepsy have seizures that are triggered by flashing lights; bold, contrasting visual patterns; or overexposure to video games.
Benign Rolandic Epilepsy
Children with benign rolandic epilepsy have seizures that affect the face and sometimes the body. It almost always disappears by adolescence.
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a rare and severe kind of epilepsy that starts in childhood.
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, or JME, is a form of epilepsy that starts in childhood or adolescence. People with this disorder experience muscle twitching or jerking.
Abdominal Epilepsy
Abdominal epilepsy is a condition in which seizure activity causes abdominal symptoms like pain and nausea. It’s so uncommon that some experts question whether it exists.
Absence Seizures
Absence seizures (formerly called ”petit mal” seizures) are caused by abnormal and intense electrical activity in the brain.
Temporal Lobe Seizures
Temporal lobe, or psychomotor, seizures cause temporary changes in movement, sensation, or autonomic function (such as heart rate and salivation).
Migralepsy
Migralepsy is a rare condition in which a migraine is followed, within an hour period, by an epileptic seizure.
Although epilepsy has no cure it can be treated. After you’re diagnosed with epilepsy, you have several ways to get treatment. Medication, a special diet, an implant that works on your nerves, and surgery could all help treat epilepsy.
