Epilepsy refers to a disorder of the electrical signals in the brain that lead to seizures. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, epilepsy affects about 300,000 children under the age of 14 in the United States.
Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of epilepsy include a staring spell, uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs, and complete loss of consciousness. The symptoms of epilepsy depend on the type of seizure involved.
Types
Epilepsy can lead to partial or generalized seizures, according to the Mayo Clinic. Partial seizures affect a part of the brain, while generalized seizures like grand mal seizures affect the entire brain.
Causes
According to the Epilepsy Foundation, infection, disease, head trauma, genetics, developmental disorders and injuries in the womb can cause epilepsy.
Treatment
There is no cure for epilepsy, but anti-seizure medications exist to treat epilepsy symptoms. If the medications do not work, surgery and implantable devices can be placed in the brain. Children can benefit from the ketogenic diet (special high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet) to decrease seizure activity.
Risk Factors
According to the Mayo Clinic, risk factors for epilepsy include age, male sex, family history, head injury, brain infection and vascular disease.
