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DEFINITION
Epilepsy
 he word "epilepsy"
is derived from the Greek word meaning a condition of being overcome,
seized or attacked.
Epilepsy is not a disease.
It is a symptom
of a neurological disorder - a physical condition - that from
time to time produces brief disturbances in the normal electrical
functions of the brain. Epilepsy is characterized by sudden,
brief seizures whose nature and intensity vary from person to
person.
WHAT IS A SEIZURE?
 seizure may appear
as a brief stare, an unusual movement of the body, a change in
awareness, or a convulsion. A seizure may last a few seconds
or a few minutes. Not all seizures indicate that a person has
epilepsy. High fever (febrile convulsions), severe head trauma
or injury, lack of oxygen - a number of factors can affect the
brain enough to cause a single seizure. It is important to remember
that a single seizure does NOT necessarily mean that a person
has epilepsy. When repeated seizures continue to occur for unknown reasons
(idiosyncratic) or because of an underlying problem that cannot
be corrected (symptomatic), the condition is known as epilepsy.
For more information concerning why seizures occur and the more common types, please follow this link.
WHAT IS AN AURA?
Is There Any Warning Before a Seizure?
 ome people experience
a sensation called an aura, or warning, before a seizure starts.
The aura may occur far enough in advance to give time to lie
down and prevent injury from falling. The type of aura experienced
varies from person to person. Some people feel a change in body
temperature; others, a feeling of tension or anxiety. In some
cases, the aura manifests itself as a musical sound, a strange
taste, or a striking odour. A precise description of an aura
assists a doctor in identifying the region of the brain where
the initial electrical discharge originates. Auras are not necessarily
followed by full-scale seizures. In fact, the aura is a simple
partial seizure in itself.
WHAT CAUSES EPILPESY?
 t is important to understand that epilepsy is a disorder
that may result from a variety of causes. These include:
- Interruption of blood-flow to the brain. This may be the result of a stroke or tumour or other circulation problems.
- Some diseases may damage the nerve cells in the brain
- Head injury that causes scarring fo the brain tissue
- High fever
- Trauma during birth
Possible Triggers:
- Sudden light changes or flashing strobe lights
- Hormones
- Abrupt changes in antiepileptic medication
- Extreme Stress
- Fever
- Lack of sleep
IS EPILEPSY HEREDITARY?
n most cases, epilepsy
is not inherited. In a few cases, the tendency towards epilepsy
might be inherited, but even with this tendency, certain conditions
must exist in the brain before a person will experience epileptic
seizures. Epilepsy that runs in families suggests an underlying
metabolic or genetic etiology, and this is the least common of
epilepsy causes. |
