Epilepsy is a neurological condition involving the brain that makes people more susceptible to having seizures. It is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system and affects people of all ages, races and ethnic background. Almost 3 million Americans live with epilepsy. When a person has two or more seizures, he or she is considered to have epilepsy. There are many possible causes of epilepsy, including tumors, strokes, and brain damage from illness or injury. In many cases, there may be no detectable cause for epilepsy.
What causes a seizure?
A person may experience one or many seizures. While the exact cause of the seizure may not be known, the more common seizures are caused by the following: • in newborns and infants:
o birth trauma o congenital (present at birth) problems o fever/infection o metabolic or chemical imbalances in the body • in children, adolescents, and adults: o alcohol or drugs o head trauma o infection o congenital conditions o genetic factors o progressive brain disease o Alzheimer's disease o stroke o unknown reasons
Treatment of a seizure:
Specific treatment for a seizure will be determined by your physician based on:
• your age, overall health, and medical history • type of the seizure • frequency of the seizures • your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies • expectations for the course of the condition • your opinion or preference
