Just what is Epilepsy exactly?
Epilepsy is a condition that is characterised by recurrent seizures. A seizure is an aberrant movement, thought process or feeling caused by an abnormal discharge of electrical activity within the brain.
What is an "Aura"?
Before the onset of a seizure some people experience a sensation or warning called an "aura". This is an odd physical sensation that might also include a degree of anticipation and fear.
Is Epilepsy contagious?
No. Epilepsy is not a virus or disease, but a symptom. It is possible to pass epilepsy on to one's children but the risks the same as the rest of the population.
What causes recurrent seizures?
Epilepsy can be described as either primary or secondary. If it isn't possible to determine the exact cause of a person's epilepsy, then it is said to be primary or "idiopathic"; secondary epilepsy happens as secondary to some definable abnormality of the brain. Specific causes of epilepsy include:
  • Inheritance
    In general, if one parent has epilepsy from genetic causes, then the chance of passing it on to their children is about 1-2%; if both parents have epilepsy, this chance increases to about 10%. What is passed on is not epilepsy, but the cause of epilepsy. Developing epilepsy due to brain damage is unlikely to be hereditary.
  • Lack of Oxygen to the Brain (Hypoxia)
    If the supply of oxygen to the brain is cut off, damage to the brain can occur after a few minutes. This might later lead to to seizures. Hypoxia may occur during birth, as a result of a stroke, or in any situation where breathing is interrupted for any prolonged length of time.
  • Brain Damage
    Brain damage which results in scar tissue (such as head accidents) predisposes a person to developing epilepsy. There may however be a prolonged gap between damage and seizures, the reasons for which are currently unclear.
  • Tumours
    While brain tumours can cause epilepsy, they are an uncommon cause for this. It is far more likely to be caused by something else.
  • Infections
    Epilepsy can be caused by brain damage resulting from meningitis, encephalitis, some infections during pregnancy and parasites such as sheep and dog tapeworms.
What types of seizures are there?
There are two basic types: partial and generalised. If the excessive electrical discharge in the brain is limited to one area, the seizure is partial. If the whole brain is involved, it is generalized.

Partial seizures (formerly known as focal seizures) are often referred to a simple partial. During this type of seizure the person can experience a range of strange or unusual sensations including sudden, jerky movements of one body part, distortions in hearing or seeing, stomach discomfort, or a sudden sense of fear. Consciousness is not impaired.

Complex-partial seizures (formerly psychomotor or temporal lobe Epilepsy) are characterized by a complicated motor act involving impaired consciousness. During the seizure the patient appears dazed and confused. Purposeless behaviours such as random walking, mumbling, head turning, or pulling at clothing may be observed.

Generalized absence seizures (formerly petit mal) are characterized by 5 to 15 second lapses in consciousness. During this time the patient appears to be staring into space and the eyes may roll upwards. Absences are not preceded by an aura and activity can be resumed immediately afterwards.

The tonic-clonic (formerly grand mal) seizure is a generalized convulsion involving two phases. In the tonic phase, the individual loses consciousness and falls, and the body becomes rigid. In the clonic period, the body extremities jerk and twitch. After the seizure, consciousness is regained slowly. If the tonic-clonic seizure begins locally (with a partial seizure) it may be preceded by an "aura". These seizures are said to be secondarily generalized.

What brings on seizures?
There are several factors that can provoke or increase the frequency of seizures in epileptic persons:
  • Lack of Sleep
    Sleep deprivation can alter the brain's electrical activity and may provoke fits. These are especially common in adolescents and young adults.
  • Menstruation
    Some women with epilepsy are subject to fits prior or during menstruation. This may be resulting from changes in hormone or blood levels, but the cause is still unclear.
  • Stress
    Some epileptic persons have increased seizures when under excess stress. Relaxation and stress control techniques can be helpful in such circumstances.
  • Alcohol
    Consumption of alcohol, especially "binge" drinking is especially bad for people with epilepsy, and may lead on to seizures. Alcohol consumption and lack of sleep together compound the problem. Also, persons on anticonvulsant medications may have further problems as these and alcohol may not mix.
  • Infections
    Sometimes infections can increase the frequency of seizures. This is especially so in children and the disabled.
  • Drugs
    Some medications can precipitate fits. These include tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazine, high doses of penicillin, aminophilline preparations and methylphenidate. Sudden withdrawal from other drugs can also cause seizures.
Are epileptics mentally handicapped?
Epilepsy by itself is not a mental handicap, nor is it related to mental illness. Because of the involvement of the brain, Epilepsy has been mistakenly associated with psychiatric disorders. Epilepsy differs from psychiatric disorders in that seizures last for very brief periods and begin and end abruptly.
What is an "epileptic personality"?
Doctors used to regard some patients as having a "temporal lobe personality". This meant that they exhibited certain personality traits such as obsessiveness, talking obsessively, writing verbosely instead of precis, having hyper-religious tendencies, et cetera.

The problem with this idea is that it mistakes social with physical symptoms. There are no direct links between epilepsy and personality. However, the way in which someone is treated socially because they have epilepsy can make a difference.

What treatments are there for epilepsy?
About 75% of people with epilepsy respond well using anticonvulsant drugs. About 60-80% of epileptics who can control their seizures using anticonvulsant only need one medication. Sometimes surgery can also assist people with complex-partial epilepsy, but this is currently out of favour. Surgery is only useful if medications are ineffective.

Other treatments such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy, and so on, really only affect stress and lifestyle, so alleviate epilepsy indirectly. Excessive or incorrect of drugs creates an additional set of issues

Can epilepsy be cured?
There is no known "cure" for Epilepsy. Medications can often control seizures, but they are not a cure. Some forms of Epilepsy occur only in childhood, and the person is said to have outgrown the seizures. In some cases there is a spontaneous remission of the seizure disorder. Sometimes, surgery to remove the part of the brain in which the seizures originate can produce a complete and permanent stop to seizures.

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