Informative Essay On Epilepsy

What exactly is epilepsy? Epilepsy is a condition of the nervous system where seizures happen frequently that effect a person's awareness, movements, and, obviously, the nervous system. Epileptic seizures happen when strong, rapid bursts of energy interrupt the normal electrical patterns of the brain. Then, the person experiences seizures, or uncontrollable shaking, because the brain cells are sending out such strong electrical signals. A normal brain contains billions of small electrical charges that are sending out very controlled signals. In an epileptic brain, the electrical charges are extremely over reacting. In other words, the electrical charges are very spastic. They send out electrical signals that interfere with the brain’s normal functioning, and again, causing seizures. Epilepsy is definitely not contagious. So, there are basically two types of seizures: absence seizures and tonic-clonic

seizures. Absence seizures are pretty self explanatory: The person suddenly becomes 'absent', with all emotion leaving their face. Tonic-clonic seizures happen when the person suddenly starts to shake very rapidly. Next, the cause of epilepsy varies from being genetic to being environmental. But, because so many cases of epilepsy are unknown, doctors have a hard time knowing if epilepsy is genetic or if it can be prevented, like a disease. Although, anything that injures the brain may cause epilepsy. Doctors suspect that prescription drug abuse may also contribute to epilepsy. Finally, the main symptom of epilepsy is seizures, but there are a few other causes. Other symptoms of this disorder include: anxiety, depression, or fear. Also, the person may feel the sensation of pins and needles. They may have muscle spasms and headaches. And, after a seizure, the person can have temporary paralysis.

There are definitely tests and treatments for epilepsy that determine whether you have epilepsy or not, and If you do, there are certain drugs you can take to help battle the seizures. The tests for epilepsy involve tracking the electrical signals that come from the brain. Seizures alone do not determine if you have epilepsy or not. Just because you have seizures does not mean that you have

epilepsy. Besides the electrical signal test, there are many other tests that can determine if you have epilepsy. There is also possible treatments for epilepsy. You can talk to a neurologist, a primary care provider, or a neurosurgeon. There is also about 16 different possible drugs you can take for epilepsy. The type of drug you take depends on several factors: age, severity of seizures, how often the seizures happen, and health. Finally, there may be some environmental factors that contribute to epilepsy, although the true cause of epilepsy is 'up in the air'. Doctors have not found out what it is yet because the cause of most cases of epilepsy are unclear. Extreme brain damage, though, can definitely contribute to epilepsy.
For the most part, people with epilepsy can live a relatively normal life.

But, there are some setbacks. For example, people with epilepsy have to go a certain amount of time without having a seizure before they drive a car. If they have too many frequent seizures, though, they cannot drive a car for obvious safety reasons. People with this condition also have to avoid jobs that involve dangerous machinery, heights, and underwater environments. Depression is also a high risk for people who have epilepsy. So, the occurrence of epilepsy in the general population: epilepsy is pretty common. Six out of 1,000 people get epilepsy. If you want to compare, Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome affects one in 35,000 people. It is uncommon for ages 0-5 to have a known case of epilepsy, and for ages 6-60+ it is more common. Finally, I think this genetic mutation is negative, because it restricts certain things you can do, like driving and picking certain jobs. It also can cause depression. I have never had a seizure, but I'm guessing that it must be scary for you and those around

you.