In the brain disorder epilepsy, cells in the brain sends out abnormal electrical signals which cause strange sensations, spasms and convulsions, according to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Several different things can cause epilepsy from illness to a brain tumor. This condition can have multiple effects on a patient's mind and body.
Inability to Drive
One of the major effects that epilepsy has on people is the increased risk of seizures and their impact on life. During a seizure, a person may lose become dizzy or lose consciousness. Having epilepsy can make it dangerous to drive or operate equipment; some states limit the driver's licenses of people with epilepsy and require that these patients for seizure-free for fairly long periods of times before allowing them to drive, according to the MayoClinic.com.
Injury
People with epilepsy may also injure themselves during a seizure, according to the MayoClinic.com. A person may fall and hit the head while losing consciousness during a seizure; the risk of drowning is also increased for these patients. Epilepsy can increase the risk of injury for these patients.
Emotional Problems
Dealing with epilepsy can cause emotional effects on a patient with the condition, according to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Dealing with the reactions of others once they found out about the epilepsy can be stressful, according to Epilepsy.com. Other people may avoid a person who has epilepsy which may cause embarrassment. Management of emotional problems requires a positive outlook and support from family and friends.
Memory Problems
People who have multiple seizures may develop issues with memory, according to Epilepsy.com. A seizure may occur in the area of the brain associated with language so a person may not be able to name items. Other seizures may disrupt communications between different parts of the brain which can also affect memory. People who have seizures that occur in the temporal lobe of the brain may have more problems with memory since the portions of the temporal lobe manages the formation and retrieval of memories.
Brain Damage
Brain damage is not common in most people with epilepsy; however, one condition called status epilepticus can cause permanent brain damage, according to the MayoClinic.com. During status epilepticus, the patient has a continuous seizure that lasts for more than five minutes or frequent seizures without regain consciousness. This condition increases the risk of brain damage.
Death
Another possible effects of epilepsy is death. Patients with poorly controlled or uncontrolled epilepsy at at higher risk of unexplained death, according to the MayoClinic.com. This is called sudden unexplained death. People who have generalized tonic clonic seizures--also known as grand mal seizures--are also at high risk for sudden death. The cause of sudden death in epilepsy is not fully understood at this time.
