Question 1

what is epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Risk for seizures: Epilepsy is a clinical condition of a risk for seizures.  Most common  is symptomatic epilepsy in which a scar focus or metabolic disorder or genetic condition is the cause.  Many epilepsies are called ideopathic because no definite cause can be found.  Detailed history, thorough neurological examination, eeg, brain imaging, and genetic and metabolic evaluations may be appropriate.

Question 2

epilepsy or syncope?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say...: What happened?  Did anyone see it?  Do you remember what happened?  How long did it last?  Did you shake?  What was happening right before?  We'd need a bit more info to diagnose a loss of consciousness.

Question 3

what causes epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Brain hyperexcitable: The exact cause & mechanism may be unknown most of the time. Conditions such as cerebral infarct, brain tumor, increased intracranial pressure b/c of any reason, infection of the brain or meninges of brain, metabolic disturbances, eg. Hypoglycemia, electrolyte abnormalities, head injury causing concussion or coupe contrecoup brain injury, aneurysms or a/v malformation, benign increase in icp, etc.

Question 4

how to cure epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Possible but unusual: Epilepsy seems best addressed if a surgical procedure deals with a focal temporal lobe lesion.  Cortical lesions are much less responsive.  Other than excision of affected lesion area, the more diffuse problems are not really curable and only hope is to control with meds or vagal nerve stimulators.

Question 5

is epilepsy inherited?

Accepted Answer

Occasionally: There are different forms of epilepsy. Usually, you don't see epilepsy in the offspring of epileptics, although, there exists an increased risk for those born of an epileptic.

Question 6

how to clear epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Broad: This is a rather broad question. There are many ways to treat epilepsy and it can be quite complex to evaluate and treat the right way. Sometimes cures can be achieved as well if the assessment is individualized and done properly. Would be happy to provide a virtual consult and go over your particular case.

Question 7

what triggers epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Many factors: Epilepsy is the tendency to have repeated seizures. Although any of us can have a seizure if our internal environment is sufficiently altered, certain conditions can cause the brain to have repeated seizures. These include inborn abnormalities, brain tumors, brain trauma, vascular malformations, and others. These lesions cause an imbalance of irritability over suppression of electrical activity.

Question 8

how common is epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

3rd most common: According to the epilepsy foundation website, epilepsy is the third most common neurological disease in the US after Alzheimer's and stroke. It affects almost 3 million Americans and 50 million persons worldwide.

Question 9

is epilepsy hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Epilepsy: Those who do develop epilepsy may be more likely to have a history of seizures in their family. This family history suggests that it is easier for them to develop epilepsy than for people with no genetic tendency.

Question 10

how do you get epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

By EEG: Epilepsy is diagnosed by the description of the seizure by the patient or a witness and an eeg. Seizures can be precipitated by a number of factor including drugs sleep deprivation and very low blood sugar. Excluding these and other possilbe causes is important in diagnosing epilepsy. Depending on you age, imaging of the brain may be indicated.

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