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Index of Diseases and Conditions: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures. The seizures happen when clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain send out the wrong signals. People may have strange sensations and emotions or behave strangely. They may have violent muscle spasms or lose consciousness.

Epilepsy has many possible causes, including illness, brain injury and abnormal brain development. In many cases, the cause is unknown.

Doctors use brain scans and other tests to diagnose epilepsy. It is important to start treatment right away. There is no cure for epilepsy, but medicines can control seizures for most people. When medicines are not working well, surgery or implanted devices such as vagus nerve stimulators may help. Special diets can help some children with epilepsy.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Epilepsy on Wikipedia

'''Epilepsy''' (often referred to as a '''seizure disorder''') is a chronic neurology condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. The condition is named from the Greek ''epilepsia'' ("a taking hold of or seizing"). It is commonly controlled with medication, although experimental Surgery methods are slowly gaining acceptance. In the past, epilepsy has been associated with religion experiences and even demon Spiritual possession. Historically, epilepsy was called '''the "Sacred Disease" ''' because people thought that epileptic seizures were a form of attack by demons, and that the Vision (religion) epileptics experienced were sent by the Gods. Hippocrates remarked that epilepsy would be considered divine only until it was understood [http://quote.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocrates].

Types of seizures

Epileptic seizures are classified both by their patterns of activity in the brain and their effects on behaviour. In terms of their pattern of activity, seizures may be described as either ''partial'' (focal) or ''generalised''. Partial seizures only involve a localised part of the brain, whereas generalised seizures involve the entire cortex (neuroanatomy). The term 'secondary generalisation' may be used to describe a partial seizure that later spreads to the whole of the cortex and becomes generalised. Partial seizures may be further subdivided into both ''simple'' and ''complex'' seizures. This refers to the effect of such a seizure on consciousness; simple seizures cause no interruption to consciousness (although they may cause sensory distortions or other sensations), whereas complex seizures interrupt consciousness. This does not necessarily mean that the person experiencing this sort of seizure will fall unconscious (like fainting). For example, complex partial seizures may involve the unconscious repetition of simple ...   [ Read More ]


External Resources

Nell, Miranda - Drink Me - A journal, poetry, creative writing, personal stories on epilepsy and Hodgkin's disease, and essays on atheism, abortion, drug laws and other topics.

Rejoice in the Light - Amy Crane. The story of her struggle and recovery from epilepsy.

Sky Don't Rain Daddy - Lionel Wilkes tells the story of his son Ian, whose short life was plagued by epilepsy, autism and various other ailments.

Mozart 'can cut epilepsy' - Music, particularly Mozart, could have a therapeutic effect on epilepsy, say scientists.

Religiosity is associated with hippocampal but not amygdala volumes in patients with refractory epilepsy -- Wuerfel et al. 75 (4): 640 -- Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry - Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry article finding that epilepsy patients with high religiosity had smaller right hippocampi.

Centre for Neuroscience - Research center for cognitive neuroscience, sensory systems, autonomic nervous system (links between body and brain), addiction, circadian rhythms, epilepsy. Flinders University, Adelaide Australia.

Persyst Development Corporation - Offers digital electroencephalography software for epilepsy monitoring, brain mapping, neurosurgical applications, and research. Features downloadable trial software, sample data, and clinical applications notes. Prescott, Arizona, USA.

Bio-logic Systems Corp - Supplies sleep, EEG and epilepsy monitoring equipment.

Neurogen Corporation - Discovers, develops, manufactures and markets products for the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders such as obesity and other eating disorders, anxiety, schizophrenia, sleep disorders, cognitive impairment, depression, epilepsy and stress disorders. (Nasdaq: NRGN).

Team Tamara - Nonprofit dedicated to raising awreness about Tuberous Sclerosis Complex; raising fund for The Children's Hospital of Phila., The Epilepsy Foundation, The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance. Includes info links and Tamara's health updates.



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