Epilepsy
Overview
Epilepsy is a disorder related to central nervous system (neurological) in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures. Seizures are periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of consciousness. Seizure signs can vary extensively. Some individuals with this health condition simply stare blankly for a short time during a seizure, while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs. Having a single seizure doesn’t qualify as epilepsy. To make the diagnosis of epilepsy, at least two unprovoked seizures are required.
Causes
In most cases there is no identifiable cause of epilepsy, some of the following factors are believed to contribute in the development of epilepsy:
- Genetic influence
- Head injury
- Brain tumor
- Stroke
- Infectious disease
- Injury during birth
- Developmental disorders
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of seizures might include:
- Short-term bewilderment
- Extensive shaking of the arms and legs
- A staring spell
- Loss of mindfulness or awareness
- Mental indications such as fear, anxiety or déjà vu
Diagnosis
These are the tests and procedures that can be used to diagnose this disease:
- Blood tests
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- High density EEG
- CT scan brain
- MRI brain
- Functional MRI
- PET scan
- SPECT scan
Treatment
Treatment is prolonged use of anti-seizure medicines. In cases of the cause being a tumor, it can be treated with surgery.
