what do u know about epilepsy?
By patodra
@patodra (21)
China
March 12, 2009 2:39am CST
Epilepsy (from the Greek ep?????a /epili?psia/ ) is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures.[1][2] These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain.[3] About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, with almost 90% of these people being in developing countries[4] Epilepsy is more likely to occur in young children or people over the age of 65 years, however it can occur at any time[5]. Epilepsy is usually controlled, but not cured, with medication, although surgery may be considered in difficult cases.
4 people like this
9 responses
@sejakuvadra (20)
• China
12 Mar 09
Epilepsies are classified in five ways:
By their first cause (or etiology).
By the observable manifestations of the seizures, known as semiology.
By the location in the brain where the seizures originate.
As a part of discrete, identifiable medical syndromes.
By the event that triggers the seizures, as in primary reading epilepsy or musicogenic epilepsy
4 people like this
@sejakuvara (20)
• China
12 Mar 09
In 1981, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) proposed a classification scheme for individual seizures that remains in common use.[8] This classification is based on observation (clinical and EEG) rather than the underlying pathophysiology or anatomy and is outlined later on in this article. In 1989, the ILAE proposed a classification scheme for epilepsies and epileptic syndromes.[9] This can be broadly described as a two-axis scheme having the cause on one axis and the extent of localisation within the brain on the other. Since 1997, the ILAE have been working on a new scheme that has five axes: ictal phenomenon, seizure type, syndrome, etiology and impairmen
3 people like this
@JBachman (36)
• Canada
12 Mar 09
I know that people can have seizures and not be epileptic
I know someone with epilepsy and have seen them have a seizure
it can look like the person is dying or something so it can be kind of upsetting but
usually they are not too serious+ there are different magnitudes of seizures
some can be pretty mild and the person should just sleep after it
but make sure they are on their side and OK and breathing
fetal position is good/normal
It's important to go to a doctor after a seizure though esp if it seems weird or worse
that's all I know really lol
@JBachman (36)
• Canada
12 Mar 09
forgot something :
sometimes seizures can be brought on by intense stress (in an epileptic I think) though sometimes people
have seizures when they are really worn out (maybe esp when they are older?) and don't have epilepsy
It's not like we know really THAT much about our own brains either though, there's a lot of unrealized potential..
but really try to keep someone's life stress free if they have, had or feel like they could have a seizure..
@lakdikuyira (20)
• China
12 Mar 09
The diagnosis of epilepsy usually requires that the seizures occur spontaneously. Nevertheless, certain epilepsy syndromes require particular precipitants or triggers for seizures to occur. These are termed reflex epilepsy. For example, patients with primary reading epilepsy have seizures triggered by reading. Photosensitive epilepsy can be limited to seizures triggered by flashing lights. Other precipitants can trigger an epileptic seizure in patients who otherwise would be susceptible to spontaneous seizures
2 people like this
@rapatod (20)
• China
12 Mar 09
children with childhood absence epilepsy may be susceptible to hyperventilation. In fact, flashing lights and hyperventilation are activating procedures used in clinical EEG to help trigger seizures to aid diagnosis. Finally, other precipitants can facilitate, rather than obligately trigger, seizures in susceptible individuals. Emotional stress, sleep deprivation, sleep itself, and febrile illness are examples of precipitants cited by patients with epilepsy. Notably, the influence of various precipitants varies with the epilepsy syndrome.
1 person likes this
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
12 Mar 09
Seizure is always been present in an epileptic person and during the seizure there are some to do's to prevent further injury to the person having seizure:
1. Let the seizure run its course.
2. Do not give anything in the mouth
3. Keep away all things that could cause injury to the person.
4. After the seizure put the person in the recovery position. Back flat on bed.
@bioluna (68)
• Portugal
12 Mar 09
My father has epilepsy since he was 9 years old. Thanks to the medication at least since I was born he never had a seizure. Sometimes when he forgets to take the medication he enters in an apathetic state, he doesn't speak and doesn't understand what we are saying, like he was in another dimension... When he "wakes up" he doesn´t remember anything and has a big headache.
He thinks he got this disease from a big fall from a tree, when he felt with is head on the ground. But this disease is also genetics. There is at least 2 more cases in our family. Luckily I did't get it, at least for now...
@aquastar8567 (13)
• Canada
12 Mar 09
If you go to this site:
http://www.epilepsy.ca/eng/mainSet.html
You can get more information about epilepsy. I used to have it when I was younger, but I grew out of it. Now all I get is absence seizures where I just stare out of space and it may look like I am day dreaming. I currently don't take any medications for it, but I am being tested for some. My absence seizures are caused by stress and doctors may also think I may have a chemical imbalance in my brain. That's pretty much it!
