Epilepsy

This is a central nervous system disorder which is characterized by a disturbance in the nerve cell activity in your brain. This disturbance manifests itself in the form of a seizure during which one experiences abnormal sensations and exhibits abnormal behaviour. The symptoms may vary and some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while others twitch their arms or legs.

A seizure can produce symptoms such as:

• Loss of consciousness
• Psychic symptoms
• Uncontainable jerking movements of legs and arms
• A staring spell
The symptoms usually vary depending on the type of seizure.

What causes Epilepsy?

In most cases, the condition may be traced to various factors, such as;

• Infectious diseases such as meningitis, Aids, Viral encephalitis.
• Head trauma that occurs due to an accident or other traumatic injuries.
• Brain conditions that cause damage to the brain such as strokes and brain tumours.
• Prenatal injury, such as an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or oxygen deficiencies.
• Developmental disorders such as autism and neurofibromatosis.
• There are few types of epilepsies which are categorized by the type of seizure one experiences that runs in families. In such cases, it's likely that there's a genetic influence.

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following:

• A second seizure follows immediately after the first
• The seizure lasts for more than five minutes
• Consciousness or breathing doesn't return after the seizure stops
• You have a high fever
• You're pregnant
• If you have diabetes
• You have injured yourself during a seizure

Please seek medical advice if you experience a seizure for the first time!