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ABSTRACT –

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder where the brain does not function properly causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations and loss of awareness.

Types –

1. Generalized Seizures
   • Tonic-Clonic Seizures (Grand Mal)
   • Clonic Seizures
   • Tonic Seizures
   • Atonic Seizures
   • Myoclonic Seizures
   • Absence Seizures (Petit Mal)
2. Focal or Partial Seizures
   • Simple Focal Seizures
   • Complex Focal Seizures
   • Secondary Generalized Seizures

CAUSES –

• Head trauma
• Brain conditions like tumors or strokes
• Genetics
• Brain development disorders like Autism, neurofibromatosis etc.
• Infectious diseases like Meningitis, AIDS etc.
• Prenatal injury like poor nutrition, oxygen deficiency etc.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS –

Signs and symptoms varies with the types of edema –

• Uncontrollable jerks in the arms and legs
• Staring spell (day dreaming)
• Temporary confusion
• Psychic signs like anxiety, fear etc.
• Loss of consciousness
• Headache and difficulty in speaking
• Psychosis
• Todd’s paralysis, i.e., weakness after a seizure
• Falling, drowning or car accidents
• Pregnancy complications increase risk of birth defects
• Permanent brain damage
• Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)

DIAGNOSIS –

• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Neuroimaging like CT scan and MRI
• Video EEG monitoring

TREATMENT –

• First Aid
• Surgery
• Proper healthy diet
• Avoidance therapy like avoiding triggers that lead to epilepsy
• Medications like anticonvulsants
• Alternative therapy like yoga, acupuncture etc.

RISK FACTORS –

• Genetics
• Age
• Medical conditions like stroke, vascular disease etc.
• Accidents
• Brain infections
• Seizures in childhood

EPIDEMIOLOGY –

The prevalence rate of epilepsy is from 3-12 per 1000 people as per the estimation.