Epilepsy is more common than you know

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a disorder in which a person suffers from repeated episodes of seizures.

What is seizure?

In brain there is systematic communication among brain cells, called neurons and electrical current flows orderly among these brain cells. When there is sudden disruption of this communication, there is abnormal spread of electrical activity producing symptoms of seizures.

Not all seizures are alike

Symptoms of seizure vary depending on where the disruption has occurred. For example few seizures may not produce any limb moments or person may not become unconscious may produce slight jerking of a part of body or daydreaming like state.

Warning signs

Some people with epilepsy who have had more than one seizure may be able to detect when a seizure is coming by few warning symptoms. Patient may feel similar abnormal sensation before he/she become unresponsive due to seizure. Examples of this sensation include a feeling of dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, nausea, numbness, pins and needles like sensation, or a strange taste or smell.

What can trigger a seizure?

Different things can trigger seizures in people with epilepsy. Few of the examples are:

• Missing a dose of medication

• Missing meals

• Taking illicit drugs

• Flashing lights

• Drinking alcohol

• Overheating or overexertion (hyperthermia)

How epilepsy can be treated?

Epilepsy is most often treated with medications known as anti-epileptic drugs or AEDs, which are commonly prescribed by a neurologist. In refractory case of epilepsy Surgery may also help in controlling seizures.