EPILEPSY is a group of central nervous system (neurological) disorder characterized by epileptic seizures.
Seizures are episodes that can vary from brief and nearly undetectable periods to long periods of vigorous shaking.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures. The seizures happen when clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain send out the wrong signals.
Neurons normally generate electrochemical impulses that act on other neurons, glands, and muscles to produce human thoughts, feelings, and actions. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior, or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. During a seizure, neurons may fire as many as 500 times a second, much faster than normal.
The cause of most cases of Epilepsy is unknown. However, some occur as a result of brain injury, stroke, brain tumors, infections of the brain, birth defects, genetic influence, age.
Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs. Having a single seizure doesn't mean you have epilepsy. At least two unprovoked seizures are generally required for an epilepsy diagnosis.
Symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure. In most cases, a person with epilepsy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar from episode to episode.
Seizures are usually classified as either FOCAL or GENERALIZED based on how the abnormal brain activity begins.
Focal seizures appear to result from abnormal activity in just one area of your brain. Focal seizure symptoms include unusual feelings or sensations that can take many forms, such as sudden and unexplainable emotions, nausea, or hallucinations.
Generalized seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain. Generalized seizure symptoms may cause loss of consciousness, falls, or massive muscle spasms.
There’s no cure for epilepsy, but early treatment can make a big difference.
However, the condition can be successfully managed. Seizures can generally be controlled with medication and surgery in some cases.
And lastly, epilepsy is NOT CONTAGIOUS. Always offer to help whenever you witness a seizure.
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REFERENCES:
https://www.efepa.org/living-with-epilepsy/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilepsy
https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics/what-epilepsy
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
https://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/default.htm
https://medlineplus.gov/epilepsy.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/epilepsy#epilepsy-cure
https://www.medicinenet.com/seizure/article.htm#how_can_epilepsy_be_treated
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