Presentation on Epilepsy

EPILEPSY Krish Mahtani INTRODUCTION Epilepsy is a brain dis in which clusters of nerve cells , or neurons , in the brain sometimes signal abnormally . Epilepsy is also referred to as a seizure dis and is characterized by recurrent unprovoked epileptic seizures

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

It affects approximately 50 million people worldwide

Epilepsy is usually controlled , but not cured , with medication , although surgery may be considered in difficult cases

Not all epilepsy syndromes

are lifelong - some forms are confined to particular stages of childhood SEQUENCE OF PRESENTATION Epileptic Seizures and their Types Who this Disease Affects Known Causes of Epilepsy Diagnosis of Epilepsy Treatments for the Disease Prognosis of Epilepsy Research being carried out Conclusion

EPILEPTIC SEIZURES An epileptic seizure (often called a fit and sometimes an attack or blackout ) is sudden disruption of normal brain activity

Seizures are caused by an uncontrolled electrical discharge from nerve cells in the cerebral cortex . This is the part of the brain that integrates higher mental functions , general movement , and the functions of the internal organs in the abdominal cavity , perception , and behavioral reactions

Epileptic seizures are triggered by abnormalities in the brain that cause a group of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex to become activated simultaneously , emitting sudden and excessive bursts of electrical energy that lead to seizures

Depending on the location in the brain where this electrical hyperactivity occurs , seizures have a wide range of effects on the sufferer , from brief moments of confusion to minor spasms to loss of consciousness

TYPES OF EPILEPTIC SEIZURES In general , epilepsy syndromes fall into two categories based on the specific biologic mechanisms involved in the seizure and parts of the anatomy where the seizure is located . These are the Partial or Focal Seizures and Generalized Seizures . Besides these two categories , there are few other types of seizures as well Partial /Focal Seizure Partial , or focal seizure is the more common type of epilepsy and is generally defined as a dis of the neurons that starts on one side of the brain Simple Focal Seizures . A person with a simple focal seizure does not lose consciousness but may experience confusion , jerking movements , tingling , or odd mental and emotional events Complex Focal Seizures . Over half of the seizures in adults are complex focal types , and about 80 of these seizures originate in the temporal lobe , the part of the brain located close to the ear . Disturbances there can result in loss of judgment , involuntary or uncontrolled behavior , or even loss of consciousness

Generalized Seizures Generalized seizures are caused by nerve cell disturbances that occur in more diffuse areas of the brain than do partial seizures . Therefore , they have a more serious effect on the patient Tonic ?Clonic (Grand Mal ) Seizures The first stage of a grand mal seizure is called the tonic phase , in which the muscles suddenly contract , causing the patient to fall and...