Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of activity in the brain can trigger epilepsy. The cause can be illness, brain damage, or abnormal development of the brain. No cause can be determined for about three-quarters of the cases of epilepsy. Because epilepsy has so many causes and can be linked to a number of other […]
What Causes Epilepsy? Read More »
Just as there are many different types of seizures, there are many different types of epilepsy syndromes. Each epilepsy syndrome has a specific set of symptoms. There are hundreds of epilepsy syndromes, many of them very rare. These syndromes are often named for their symptoms or for the part of the brain where they originate.
Different Types of Epilepsy Read More »
The first step in making a diagnosis of epilepsy is a complete medical history. The doctor will ask questions about: Whether the person or the person’s family has a history of seizures. What the seizure looked like. What happened just before the seizure began. Possible causes other than epilepsy, such as alcohol withdrawal, infections, head
How Does A Doctor Make The Diagnosis Of Epilepsy? Read More »
Several treatments are available for epilepsy. The key to finding an effective treatment is an accurate diagnosis of the type of epilepsy a person has. Current treatment options can control seizures for about 80% of the people in the United States who have epilepsy. Once a diagnosis of epilepsy is established, it is important to
How Is Epilepsy Treated? Read More »
Seizures vary in their severity. Sometimes the person having the seizure goes into a kind of altered state for a short period of time. The person may looked dazed or stare into space. In such a case, it is enough to stay by the person and wait for the seizure to pass. The most important
How Can I Help Someone Who Is Having an Epileptic Seizure? Read More »
Although researchers have not been able to determine exactly what causes epilepsy, it is often triggered by events or conditions that cause injury to the brain. One way to try to prevent epilepsy is to prevent the events or conditions that lead to its development. Epilepsy is sometimes linked to head injuries. Head injuries can
Can Epilepsy Be Prevented? Read More »
Epilepsy is a condition that cannot be ignored. With proper treatment, however, epilepsy can be well managed in 80% of cases. Epilepsy should not be a reason to remove yourself from the joys and responsibilities of daily living. People with epilepsy can work, be with children, go out with friends, play sports, and have meaningful
Does Having Epilepsy Mean My Entire Life Will Change? Read More »
Epilepsy is a general term used for a group of disorders that cause disturbances in electrical signaling in the brain. Like an office building or a computer, the brain is a highly complex electrical system, powered by roughly 80 pulses of energy per second. These pulses move back and forth between nerve cells to produce
All cases of encephalitis should be considered a medical emergency. The severity of the illness varies a great deal. Some cases are mild, and full recovery follows in a week or two. Other cases may be severe with permanent effects or even death. One of the most dangerous types is measles encephalitis, which can follow a
How Serious Is Encephalitis? Read More »
Childhood vaccination has already prevented many cases, but it only works against a narrow range of causes, such as measles encephalitis. If a person is bitten by a rabid animal, an emergency course of treatment is available if started in time. Pregnant women who carry the genital herpes virus – even if they are not currently showing
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Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to encephalitis. Encephalitis is a serious medical emergency caused when the brain becomes inflamed, usually as the result of an infection. Fever, headaches, fatigue, seizures, nausea and vomiting, and mental confusion are some of the common signs of encephalitis. In most cases, doctors are
Encephalitis: Putting It All Together Read More »
Here are definitions of medical terms related to encephalitis. Arbovirus: A type of virus that lives in insects like mosquitoes and is passed onto humans through insect bites. Biopsy: A procedure in which a piece of tissue is taken from the body to study under a microscope. Cerebral spinal fluid: The fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain
Encephalitis: Glossary Read More »
