Epilepsy is marked by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This electrical activity causes malfunctioning of the brain, which can cause seizures. Epilepsy can cause a variety of different symptoms depending on where and how much of the brain is affected, and can be treated using medications and, in some cases, surgery or implanted devices.
Generalized
Generalized seizures describe forms of epilepsy that affect both sides of the brain as soon as the seizure starts, the Epilepsy Foundation explains. Because of the amount of brain material involved, patients with generalized seizures will lose consciousness during the seizure. Generalized seizures include the tonic-clonic seizure, which is also known as the grand mal seizure. This kind of seizure is notable for the sudden spasmodic muscle jerkings that it causes. A less severe form of this kind of epilepsy is a myoclonic seizure, which is characterized by one muscle or limb twitching. Generalized seizures can also cause patients to suddenly lose muscle tone, also known as an atonic seizure. In some cases, the patient will simply pause and be unconscious for a few seconds; this is known as an absence seizure.
Partial
Partial seizures can be distinguished from generalized seizures because they only affect one side of the brain. This means that patients do not lose consciousness during a seizure, the Mayo Clinic explains, although they may experience an altered consciousness. A simple partial seizure can cause spontaneous changes in senses, causing patients to perceive flashing lights or experience vertigo. Complex partial seizures can also result in involuntary movements, such as chewing, hand rubbing, or walking in small circles.
Causes
Approximately one-half of all seizures have no identifiable cause, the Patient Education Institute explains. When a patient has had two or more seizures that are not caused by a readily identifiable and treatable cause, such as a tumor or other brain injury, the patient is considered to have epilepsy. Epilepsy can be due to faulty wiring in the brain, infections, or brain damage early in life. Some types of epilepsy seem to run in families, suggesting that genetics may also play a role.
Complications
In general, the greatest risk for those with epilepsy is injury that can be suffered during a seizure. This risk is greatest for people with generalized seizures because of the loss of consciousness and severity of the symptoms. Seizure patients, the Patient Education Institute notes, may not be able to get a drivers license and should avoid contact sports, since physical contact can sometimes trigger a seizure. Patients with severe generalized epilepsy that is not well controlled can develop a serious condition known as status epilepticus in which they experience a prolonged and potentially fatal seizure. In addition, in some cases, patients with epilepsy suddenly die for no identifiable reason.
Treatment
Most cases of epilepsy can be treated with medications known as anticonvulsants. These drugs, which include phenytoin, valproic acid, gabapentin and carbamazepine can be used to inhibit the unusual electrical activity that causes epilepsy. Partial seizures can sometimes be treated with surgical removal of the parts of the brain that are causing the seizures. A vagus nerve stimulator is an approved device that stimulates a nerve in the chest to help prevent seizures from occurring.
