At times clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain signal abnormally and this causes a brain disorder called epilepsy. The result of this abnormal signals is that it disturbs the normal pattern of neuronal activity leading to strange sensations, emotions, and behaviour which is sometimes accompanied with convulsions, muscle spasms and loss of consciousness.

What causes Epilepsy?

Epilepsy has many possible causes including severe illness, brain damage, abnormal brain development etc. Epilepsy can develop due to abnormality in brain wiring or neuron connectivity, an imbalance of nerve signalling chemicals called neurotransmitters, or a combination of these factors.

Epilepsy and seizures

The occurrence of a single seizure does not mean that a person has epilepsy. A seizure could occur due to many other illness and is necessarily a symptom of epilepsy. When a person or a child has two or more seizures and they occur intermittently then the person is considered to be suffering from epilepsy and further diagnostic measures will establish the same.

How epilepsy is diagnosed?

Your doctor will make a thorough study of your symptoms including the frequency of your seizures if you already have suffered them. Then you will be asked to get an EEG and brain scan done, since these are the common tests for epilepsy.

What is the treatment for epilepsy?

As soon as a patient is diagnosed with epilepsy the norm is to start treatment immediately. In epilepsy seizures are the most serious aspect since it causes physical as well as emotional damage. In many cases diagnosed with epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with latest medications and if required with surgical intervention. There are certain vagus nerve stimulators for use of those patients who are unable to control seizures with medicines.

A epilepsy patient mostly will have an outwardly normal life. Even though epilepsy is not currently curable, for many people it does eventually go away. It is to be noted that most seizures do not cause brain damage.