Epilepsy
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- 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.
Next: Epilepsy Causes »
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Epilepsy (Seizure Disorder) - Describe Your Effective Treatments
Please describe effective treatments with epilepsy (seizure disorder).
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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
Find tips and treatments to control seizures.
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Epilepsy
Seizures in Children Overview
A seizure occurs when the brain functions abnormally, resulting in a change in movement, attention, or level of awareness. Different types of seizures may occur in different parts of the brain and may be localized (affect only a part of the body) or widespread (affect the whole body). Seizures may occur for many reasons, especially in children. Seizures in newborns may be very different than seizures in toddlers, school-aged children, and adolescents. Seizures, especially in a child who has never had one, can be frightening to the parent or caregiver.
- Around 3% of all children have a seizure when younger
than 15 years, half of which are febrile seizures (seizure brought on by a fever). One of every
100 children has epilepsy-recurring seizures.
- A febrile seizure occurs when a child contracts an illness such as an ear infection, cold, or chickenpox accompanied by fever. Febrile seizures are the m...
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Benign Childhood Epilepsy »
Epilepsy is defined as 2 or more unprovoked seizures.
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