Question 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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.

Question 7

who's at risk for epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Several: Family hereditary risks, drug abusers (cocaine, amphetamines, designer hallucinagenics), alcoholics, certain medications (welbutrin, tramadol, etc), prior head injuries, prior brain infections or strokes or hemorrhages, congenital structural anomalies (vascular malformations, mesial temporal sclerosis), prior brain surgery, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, arteritis, vasculitis.

Question 8

how do you diagnose 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.

Question 9

how often can i get epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Usually a chronic : Usually epilepsy is a chronic disease. Number of attacks can range from very rare in many per day or per minute.

Question 10

how does someone get epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Multiple causes: People can get epilepsy due to genetic factors, brain tumor, traumatic brain injury, infection, stroke, degenerative disease or congenital malformations.

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