Facts About Epilepsy
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Health Fitness -> subcategory Disease Illness.
Facts About Epilepsy
Overview
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting the nervous system, often referred to as a seizure disorder. It's typically diagnosed after an individual experiences 2-3 unprovoked seizures. A seizure occurs due to sudden high-voltage electrical activity in the brain, briefly impacting a person’s feelings or actions. These seizures can range from barely noticeable to severely disruptive. The exact cause of epileptic seizures remains unclear, but they may result from brain injuries or genetic factors.
Prevalence
Epilepsy can develop in anyone, regardless of age or race. It is relatively common, affecting 1 in every 120 adults in the US. Whether someone develops epilepsy depends on their seizure threshold, or resistance level to seizures. Those with a low seizure threshold are more susceptible to seizures even from mild triggers. In contrast, individuals with a high seizure threshold might only experience seizures due to serious events like a head injury. It’s important to note that seizures may not occur immediately after a triggering event but could happen months later.
Causes of Epilepsy
Epilepsy causes can be categorized into three main groups, each associated with different types of seizures:
1. Symptomatic Epilepsy: This type has a known cause, such as a head injury, stroke, or brain scar. Infections like meningitis can also lead to seizures. Diagnostic scans often reveal the cause, guiding treatment.
2. Idiopathic Epilepsy: There is no identifiable cause in this case, other than a low seizure threshold. Individuals with this type generally lead normal lives and respond well to treatment.
3. Cryptogenic Epilepsy: If other causes are ruled out, seizures may be cryptogenic, suggesting underlying physical causes that require further investigation.
Diagnosing epilepsy can be challenging due to the lack of obvious symptoms. An eyewitness account of the seizure is invaluable, and additional information is gathered through blood tests, EEG, CT scans, and MRI scans.
Risk Factors
New epilepsy cases are most common in children within their first year, gradually decreasing until around age 10. People at higher risk for epileptic attacks include:
- Underweight babies
- Babies with abnormal brain structures
- Individuals who have experienced brain bleeding
- Those with serious brain injuries
- People with cerebral palsy or mental disabilities
- Children who have had febrile seizures
- Those with a family history of seizures
Treatment
Approximately 70% of individuals with epilepsy are treated with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). These medications help prevent seizures but do not cure epilepsy. The specific AED and its dosage depend on the seizure type. While some people experience fewer seizures as they age, others may never achieve full control over their epilepsy despite appropriate treatment.
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