What Is Epilepsy?
The term "Epilepsy" comes from the Greek word "epilambabein", which means to seize or attack.
During an epileptic seizure, the brain experiences a temporary burst of unusual electrical activity, and the person with the seizure may experience a short period of uncontrollable movements (such as shaking or lip smacking) or may, for example, walk aimlessly or stare into space.
Prevalence and Onset
Epilepsy is a relatively common condition affecting nearly 1 in 100 persons. It is so common that most people know someone who has epilepsy, though that person's seizures may be so well controlled that they rarely occur, and the person with epilepsy is able to hide their condition from others. More than 2.5 million people in the United States live with this disorder every day, and over 181,000 people experience their first seizure every year.
Epilepsy can develop at any age and can affect both men and women of all races. Because there is no single cause of epilepsy, there is no sure way to know if you will develop epilepsy during your lifetime.
Major Categories of Seizures
Epileptic seizures vary from person to person, but the majority of seizures fall into one of two categories.
Generalized Seizures
This type of seizure involves both sides of the brain from the start and results in loss of consciousness for varying lengths of time. Tonic-clonic seizures (formerly "grand mal" seizures) are the easiest to identify with their characteristic shaking/jerking movements, though there are many other kinds of generalized seizures.
Partial Seizures
This type of seizure is the most common and involves only a part of the brain. Persons with this type of seizure may experience an unusual taste, smell, or feeling. Simple-partial seizures do not result in a loss of consciousness, whereas complex-partial seizures do.
Common Causes of Seizures
While over 70% of seizures have no known cause, following are some of the more frequently identified cause of epileptic seizures:
Pre-Natal Trauma
The brain may be injured prior to birth if it receives too little oxygen or nutrition.
Head Trauma
These injuries resulting from traffic or sports accidents, falls or blows to the head, may lead to damaged brain tissue, which leads to the onset of seizures.
Brain Tumors
Abnormal growths inside the brain can develop at any time and may result in seizures.
Poisoning
Poisons may affect both brain structure and function, resulting in seizures.
Infection
Conditions that lead to a high fever may cause seizures. Meningitis and encephalitis are among the most common. In children, febrile seizures may have no known cause.
Treatment Options
During the past 25 years, tremendous progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, including new medications, development of the Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS), surgery, and the ketogenic diet. While more than 80% of persons diagnosed with epilepsy are controlled by medication, most of the remaining 20% find at least partial relief through these and other means. For more information about your treatment choices, contact your physician or the Epilepsy Council of West Michigan.