These seizures associated with epilepsy can be caused by outbursts of electrical activity in the central nervous system that are not normal. Seizures can result in problems with muscle coordination, movement, speech, sight, or awareness.
They generally do not last too long, but they can be frightening. The good news is that therapy typically works to restrain and decrease seizures.
Epilepsy isn't a form of mental disease or retardation. It normally does not impact how well someone thinks or acquires information. You can't acquire epilepsy from another individual (like the flu), and he can't acquire it from you.
Causes of Epilepsy
Often, physicians don't know what brings on epilepsy. Fewer than one-half of individuals with epilepsy understand why they suffer from it.
Occasionally, another issue, like a head wound, brain tumor, central nervous system infection, or cerebrovascular accident (stroke), causes epilepsy.
Symptoms of Epilepsy
The major symptom of epilepsy is recurrent seizures that happen without warning. Without therapy, seizures might continue and even get worse and more prevailing over time.
There are various types of seizures. For example a single patient may suffer from only one form of seizure. Others suffer from more than one form of epilepsy. Depending on the specific type of seizure:
- A person's senses may not function properly. For instance, you may experience strange odors or sounds that really don't exist.
- You can lose control of the muscles.
- You could fall down, and your arms and legs might twitch or jerk.
- You may faint (syncope).
Not everyone who experiences seizures suffers from epilepsy. Occasionally, seizures occur due to an illness, injury, or additional issue. In these instances, the seizures discontinue when that issue improves or disappears.
Diagnosis of Epilepsy
Diagnosing epilepsy can be difficult. If you believe that you or your son or daughter has experienced a seizure, your physician will first attempt to figure out if the incident was a seizure or something else with similar signs and symptoms. For instance, a muscle tic or a migraine headache could look or feel similar to a sort of seizure.
Your physician will ask many questions when taking your clinical history. He or she may wish to know what took place just before, during, and immediately after a seizure.
Your physician can also check you and perform some tests, like an EEG. This information may help your physician determine what kind of seizures you experience and if you have epilepsy.
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References:
Blume WT (2003). "Diagnosis and management of epilepsy." Canadian Medical Association Journal. 168 (4); 441–448.
Schachter SC (2003). "Epilepsy: Etiology and manifestations." In: RW Evans, ed. "Saunders Manual of Neurologic Practice." part VII. 244–265. Philadelphia: Curtis Center.
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