Epilepsy
- Epilepsy Overview
- Epilepsy Causes
- Epilepsy Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Epilepsy Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medications
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
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- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Epilepsy (Seizure Disorder) - Describe Your Effective Treatments
Epilepsy Overview
Epilepsy is a condition in which a person has recurrent seizures. A seizure is defined as an abnormal, disorderly discharging of the brain's nerve cells, resulting in a temporary disturbance of motor, sensory, or mental function.
There are many types of seizures, depending primarily on what part of the brain is involved. The term epilepsy says nothing about the type of seizure or cause of the seizure, only that the seizures happen again and again. A stricter definition of the term requires that the seizures have no known underlying cause. This may also be called primary or idiopathic epilepsy.
- Episodes of abnormal electrical activity within the brain result in seizures.
- The specific area of the brain affected by the abnormal electrical activity may result in a particular type of seizure.
- If all areas of the brain are affected by the abnormal electrical activity, a generalized seizure may result. This means that consciousness is lost or impaired. Often all the person's arms and legs stiffen and then jerk rhythmically.
- One seizure type may evolve into another during the course of the seizure. For example, a seizure may start as a partial, or focal, seizure, involving the face or arm. Then the muscular activity spreads to other areas of the body. In this way, the seizure becomes generalized.
- Seizures caused by high fevers in children are not considered epilepsy. Also see children's seizures.
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Viewer Comments & Reviews
Epilepsy (Seizure Disorder) - Describe Your Effective Treatments
Please describe effective treatments with epilepsy (seizure disorder).
Important Safety Information
Vimpat (lacosamide) is a medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial onset seizures in patients 17 years of age and older with epilepsy. Vimpat is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your doctor if Vimpat is right for you. Antiepileptic drugs, including Vimpat, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self harm that you have never had before or may be worse than before. Please see additional patient information in the Medication Guide at the end of the full prescribing information. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment. Please see additional Patient Safety Information
Epilepsy
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Cauda Equina Syndrome Overview
The spinal cord extends from the brain down through the spinal canal inside the vertebral column. Nerves that branch off of the spinal cord (also called nerve roots) are an extension of the spinal cord and are responsible for sending signals to and from the muscles and other structures throughout the body. These signals allow the brain to interpret information from the body including pain, touch, and sense of position. Outgoing signals allow the brain to control actions of the organs and muscle movements.
The spinal cord ends near the first lumbar vertebra in the lower back, forming the conus medullaris. The fibrous extension of the spinal cord is the filum terminale. The bundle of nerve roots below the conus medullaris is named the cauda equina (see Multimedia File 1).
Compression or inflammation of the nerve roots can cause symptoms of pain, altered reflexes, decreased strength, and decreased sensation. Although these s...
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Benign Childhood Epilepsy »
Epilepsy is defined as 2 or more unprovoked seizures.
