Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes seizures. Seizures happen when some or all of the nerve cells in the brain start firing at the same time, or signal abnormally. Normal nerve cell activity is disturbed, and this causes emotions, physical sensations, convulsions and loss of consciousness.
Significance
Approximately 125,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed yearly, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. It can be diagnosed at any age, but half of all cases begin before the age of 25, with most being diagnosed in childhood, because of the tendency for immature brains to be more susceptible to seizure, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.
Symptoms
Having two or more seizures that do not have an identifiable cause like low blood sugar or fever, are signs of epilepsy. If it is epilepsy, there is a likelihood there will be more seizures.
Causes
The Epilepsy Foundation states that in seven out of 10 people, no cause is found for their epilepsy. Many things can affect the way the brain works, including head injuries during birth, lead poisoning, or genetic causes.
Diagnosis
Obtaining a thorough history of the seizures and events surrounding the seizures is critical for helping to diagnose epilepsy. An EEG that records brain waves and CT scans or an MRI can also help diagnose epilepsy and rule out other disorders (mayoclinic.org).
Treatment
Medication is a mainstay of treating childhood epilepsy. If the anti-epileptic medications do not keep the seizures at bay, a ketogenic diet or surgery may be recommended, according to the Mayo Clinic.
