Epilepsy is a neurological seizure disorder affecting the nervous system. Someone can only be diagnosed with epilepsy when said person exhibits a tendency to have recurrent seizures. Recurrent seizures are defined as two or more seizures that were not caused by known conditions -such as alcohol withdrawal or extremely low blood sugar.

Although seizures are the only visible symptom of epilepsy, there are other symptoms of the condition. Convulsions that are involuntary contractions of voluntary muscles and a loss of consciousness along with strange sensations, (pain, numbness, pins and needles, tingling, prickling, burning, strange tastes, smells or sounds) emotions, (inappropriate moods or excessive mood changes) behaviour, (confusion, aggression, anxiety, fear, psychological problems, secrecy or strange compulsions) tics and twitches as well as hallucinations.

There are also two types of seizures that may occur. Grand mal seizures that are seizures characterised by the sudden onset of generalised muscle spasms and loss of consciousness and petit mal seizures that are temporary disturbances of the brain that cause a brief lack of conscious activity. The symptoms experienced will be different for each person

Treatment for epilepsy is readily available, and can take the form of either medication or surgery. As many seizures are the direct result of an underlying brain or bodily disorder the treatment of the underlying condition will often be sufficient to prevent seizures from recurring, and the seizures themselves will need no specific management. In general, seizures that have only occurred once will not be treated unless they recur. Once seizures are recurrent, specific anti-epileptic medication will generally be needed. Some epileptics will only have seizures in certain settings, or find that their seizures are reliably provoked by specific triggers. Alcohol use and sleep deprivation are frequently responsible.

Most patients are rendered seizure-free with the use of a single medication, or, if necessary, medications in various combinations. Follow-up should occur at least annually. Monitoring drug levels in the blood is important for continued control of seizures and reduction of side-effects, but is often unnecessary with newer agents.

The last decade has seen the development of effective surgery for seizures of certain kinds. In general, surgery is reserved for patients with a seizure focus that can be precisely identified, and who have failed drug therapy. Work-up for surgery is complex, but when successful, surgery may render patients seizure-free without having to use medications.

Sources:
Epilepsy
Health24
Kids Health

Page Last Updated 19 may 2010