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Epilepsy, a group of nervous-system
disorders. They are marked by repeated episodes of convulsive seizures,
sensory disorders, abnormal behavior, blackouts, or all of these. All types
of epilepsy have an uncontrolled electrical discharge from the nerve cells
of the surface of the brain (cerebral cortex). Most epilepsy is of unknown
cause. It may sometimes be linked to head injury, brain infection, brain
tumor, blood vessel disturbances, intoxication, or chemical imbalance.
See also focal seizure, grand mal seizure, petit mal seizure, psychomotor
seizure.
-DIAGNOSIS: Seizures may occur several
times a day to one every few years. They can occur during sleep or after
stimulation, as a blinking light or sudden loud sound. Emotional disturbances
also may cause seizures. Some people have odd visual effects (aura) before
a seizure, but others have no warning symptoms. Most epileptic attacks
are brief. They may affect the entire body or a small area. The muscles
may contract and relax violently or only twitch slightly. Seizures are
often followed by drowsiness or confusion. Diagnosis is made by observing
the pattern of seizures. Partial (also called focal or jacksonian) seizures
begin in a hand or foot and move up the limb. Mental confusion can last
for several minutes or for hours or days. Petit mal attacks are marked
by loss of consciousness for several seconds and eye or muscle fluttering.
Grand mal seizures are the classic muscle contractions involving the entire
body, loss of consciousness, and often loss of bowel control.
-TREATMENT: The kind of epilepsy
determines the drug to prevent the seizures. If the cause is a tumor or
metabolic imbalance, this is corrected. During an attack the patient should
be protected from injury. -PATIENT CARE: A person watching an epileptic
attack should carefully note the nature of the seizure in order to tell
the doctor. It is essential that the patient take the given drug as directed.
Treatment must not be stopped without medical advice. The person should
wear a medical identification tag. Most people who have epilepsy can control
it with drugs and should expect to live a normal life. See also anticonvulsant,
aura, central nervous system stimulant, clonus, ictus, -tonic, -epileptic,
adj., n.
Guide to Epilepsy Support and Education Scottish Epilepsy Information Society We invite any of our Sisters to
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Please contribute any personal stories,
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