What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder — a physical condition — which causes sudden bursts of hyperactivity in the brain.
This hyperactivity produces "seizures" which vary from one person to another in frequency and form.
A seizure may appear as - a brief stare
- a change of awareness
- a convulsion.
A seizure may last a few seconds or a few minutes.
Epilepsy- is not a disease
- is not a psychological disorder
- is not contagious.
Causes
In approximately 60-75% of all cases, there is no known cause. Of the remaining cases, there are a number of frequently identified causes.
Identifiable Causes - brain injury to the foetus during pregnancy
- birth trauma (lack of oxygen)
- aftermath of infection (meningitis)
- head trauma (car accident, sports injury, shaken baby syndrome)
- alteration in blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- other metabolic illness (hypocalcemia)
- brain tumour
- stroke
Is there a Cure?
Although treatments are available to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, there is no known cure for epilepsy as yet.
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