Epilepsy
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. Seizures are transient symptoms due to abnormal, excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy. Globally, it is one of the most common brain disorders. Not all epilepsy syndromes are lifelong. Some forms are confined to a particular stage during childhood. Epilepsy can occur in combination with other impairments such as intellectual impairments, personality disorder and burn contractures, when falling into an open fire. In many developing countries, people with epilepsy face stigmatization and social exclusion.
What causes Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is caused by genetic predisposition, brain damage resulting from infections, parasites or tumors. Infectious causes of epilepsy include tapeworm, schistosmosiasis and malaria. Many epilepsy cases are of unknown causes.
What cures Epilepsy?
Epilepsy therapy is aimed at preventing seizures. The most common treatment is with anti-epileptic drugs. Most seizures can be controlled by single drug therapy, but drugs may be used in combination for more serious types of seizures. In 2006, the CCBRT community programme had 131 children with epilepsy enrolled, receiving free epileptic drugs. Without access to CCBRT?s programme, these children would otherwise have been left untreated.
What prevents Epilepsy?
There is no prevention for epilepsy.
