Epilepsy is a neurological disorder caused by excessive electrical activity within the brain. There are many different types of epilepsy which can manifest in a variety of different ways. Depending on the type of epilepsy, doctors may recommend pharmacological treatment, surgery, or other treatments.
Identification
Epilepsy is a disease in which the afflicted some from recurrent and unprovoked seizures. These seizures are caused by uncontrolled and elevated electrical activity within the brain. Epilepsy is a blanket term for a variety of conditions which all involve increased cranial electrical activity.
Types
Epilepsy is classified based on a variety of factors, including what triggers it first and by the observable symptoms that occur during a seizure. Epilepsy can also be classified based where in the brain they occur and by what seems to cause the actual seizures. In 1989, the International League Against Epilepsy developed a system of classification based on the cause of the seizure and where they occur.
Prevention/Solution
The primary method of treating epilepsy is the use of anticonvulsants. There are 19 different types of anticonvulsants that are used to treat epilepsy. Generally a patient will be started off with one medication, but if that proves to be insufficient, other medications that are prescribed as add-ons to the primary medication. Depending on the type of epilepsy and the symptoms, different medications are often recommended.
Considerations
In some cases, epileptics do not respond to anticonvulsive treatment. In those cases, sometimes there is a small area of the brain that is causing the seizures which can be surgically removed. This can be especially effective if the seizures are caused by a tumor or if the focal point of the epilepsy is in the temporal lobe, which can be surgically operated on with relative ease. In other cases, electrical stimulation of the brain by inserting an electrode into the brain and passing a slight electric current through it can help alleviate symptoms.
Warning
Anti-convulsant medications do not cure epilepsy. They only help to alleviate its symptoms. In addition, use of these medications for extended periods of time can have significant and serious side effects. While in some cases surgery can be curative for epilepsy, there are significant risks with any type of neurosurgery. On the other hand, some forms of epilepsy only occur during certain times in childhood and will go away on their own without any treatment.
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