What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system and occurs when the brain discharges too much electrical energy. This extra surge of energy may interrupt or alter one's consciousness and results in seizures.

These seizures may be convulsive or non-convulsive depending on where in the brain they occur and how much of the brain is involved.

Epilepsy can be diagnosed at any age, but most often in childhood or in the later years of life. Sometimes those who develop seizures during childhood outgrow their seizures.

In more than half of those with epilepsy, seizures can be well controlled with seizure medication

Epilepsy is not...

...a disease

...contagious

...a mental illness

...a sign of low intelligence

 

Causes of Epilepsy

The causes differ according to the age. Seizures are classified as symptomatic, in which the cause is known, or idiopathic, in which the cause is unknown.

Physically, epilepsy can be caused by head injuries, birth defects, foetal injuries, poisons e.g. alcohol, diseases such as measles and encephalitis, tumors, poor nutrition, etc.

At an average of 60 to 75 percent epilepsy cases, no specific cause of the seizures can be identified.