Virtual Medical Centre

Epilepsy

• What is Epilepsy?
• Who gets Epilepsy?
• Predisposing Factors
• Progression
• Probable Outcomes
• How is Epilepsy Diagnosed?
• How is Epilepsy treated?
• Epilepsy References
• Drugs/Products Associated with Epilepsy

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is the continuing tendency of a person to have seizures. An epileptic seizure is caused by an abnormal electrical discharge from a group of nerve cells in the brain. There are many different types of epilepsy and many different causes of epilepsy. Adult onset seizures are almost always caused by a structural problem within the brain. Epileptic seizures can be classified as partial or generalized, simple or complex. In partial epileptic seizures the seizure activity is restricted to a local area in the brain, whereas in generalized seizures a larger area and both sides of the brain are affected, such that the fitting normally associated with epileptic seizures can occur. A simple epileptic seizure is one where there is no loss of consciousness. In a complex epileptic seizure there may be loss of awareness.

Who gets Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a the most common serious neurological (brain) condition. Around 10-12% of people will have a seizure during their lifetime, and 3-4% of people will be diagnosed with epilepsy at some point. While many people consider epilepsy a disease of childhood, in fact epilepsy is far commoner in people over 60 years than in people under 20 years of age.

Predisposing Factors

Conditions which increase the likelihood of developing epilepsy include:

• Stroke or other cerebrovascular disease
• Cerebral tumours
• Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
• Severe head trauma
• Family history of epilepsy: 30% of people with epilepsy will have a first degree relative with a history of seizures
• Previous brain surgery
• Infections of the brain or central nervous system
• Abnormalities of nervous system development

Precipitating factors that may cause a seizure to occur include:

• Psychological or physical stress
• Sleep deprivation
• Hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle
• Lights or a flickering television may provoke an attack in susceptible patients
• Exposure to toxic substances, such as alcohol
• Certain medications can provoke epileptic fits in people with a natural tendency to have seizures

Progression

People who have epilepsy have seizures intermittently and may be asymptomatic for months to years between seizures.