Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. more...
Epilepsy Discussions
hi ive had epilepsy for most of my life since 11 months old been through almost all the testing you could name, i have complex partial seizures. some meds i'd suggest are dilantin,clobazam, tompamax,lamotringe,Mysoline. i hope this helps you. Clobazam some of the side effects are- drooling,drowsiness,unsteadiess,headache,whight gain,behavior change,irritability,increased weakness and worsening of seizures. dilantins side effects are- jerking movements of the eyes ,decreased coordination,shaking ...
by icefiary, 2 replies, updated about 1 year ago.my 6 yr old son has been on tegretol for 4.5 yr . and has just start gowing hair down in the privte has any one heard about this every happening please help me
by _jessie_, 0 replies, updated about 1 year ago.Our 7 month old daughter started on trileptal today she has tried phenabarbitol and keppra.. neither helps her. She has grandmal seizures. Has anyone had a child this small on this medication. What were the side effects?
by epilepsybaby, 1 replies, updated about 1 year ago.anyone know of a good drug for grand mal seizures. I take Depakot er and have joint pain and weight gain. I would love some help.
by harvesterbornagain, 1 replies, updated about 1 year ago.Start a new topic about Epilepsy
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. Epilepsy is a disorder with many possible causes. Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of neuron activity - from illness to brain damage to abnormal brain development - can lead to seizures. Epilepsy may develop because of an abnormality in brain wiring, an imbalance of nerve signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, or some combination of these factors. Having a seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. Only when a person has had two or more seizures is he or she considered to have epilepsy. EEGs and brain scans are common diagnostic test for epilepsy.
Once epilepsy is diagnosed, it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible. For about 80 percent of those diagnosed with epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with modern medicines and surgical techniques. Some antiepiletic drugs can interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. In 1997, the FDA approved the vagus nerve stimulator for use in people with seizures that are not well-controlled by medication.
Most people with epilepsy lead outwardly normal lives. While epilepsy cannot currently be cured, for some people it does eventually go away. Most seizures do not cause brain damage. It is not uncommon for people with epilepsy, especially children, to develop behavioral and emotional problems, sometimes the consequence of embarrassment and frustration or bullying, teasing, or avoidance in school and other social setting. For many people with epilepsy, the risk of seizures restricts their independence (some states refuse drivers licenses to people with epilepsy) and recreational activities. People with epilepsy are at special risk for two life-threatening conditions: status epilepticus and sudden unexplained death. Most women with epilepsy can become pregnant, but they should discuss their epilepsy and the medications they are taking with their doctors. Women with epilepsy have a 90 percent or better chance of having a normal, healthy baby.
Prepared by the National Institutes of Health
