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Epilepsy affects

Author: ayurvedic1 | Posted: 06.10.2008 | Views: 14

Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. Epilepsy is a disorder with many possible causes. Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of neuron activity - from illness to brain damage to abnormal brain development - can lead to seizures. Epilepsy may develop because of an abnormality in brain wiring, an imbalance of nerve signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, or some combination of these factors.

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal, excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain.

Epilepsy can affect anyone at any age, in any race or social class. Usually, seizures tend to start either in infancy, by late adolescence, or after 65. The majority of patients with epilepsy are infants below one year, or in the over-60 age group. There are 40 to 50 million epilepsy patients world over. While the prevalence is said to be about 1 per cent in India, it is about 0.5 per cent in the U.K. The incidence in developed countries is 50 per 100,000 people a year, while it is 120 per 100,000 peop le in developing nations.

About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy at any one time. Epilepsy is usually controlled, but not cured, with medication, although surgery may be considered in difficult cases.

Epilepsy affects about 2.7 million Americans, and results in an estimated annual cost of $15.5 billion in medical costs and lost or reduced earnings and production. People of all ages are affected, but particularly the very young and the elderly. About 10% of Americans will experience a seizure sometime during their lifetime, and about 3% will have had a diagnosis of epilepsy by age 80.

Home care with epilepsy varies with the frequency and type of seizures. It is important to take anticonvulsant medication regularly to prevent seizures.When a seizure occurs, an observer can use common sense to prevent injuries. Cushion the person's head, Loosen any tight neckwear. Turn the person on his or her side. Do not hold the person down or restrain the person.Do not place anything in the mouth or try to pry the teeth apart. The person is not in danger of swallowing his or her tongue.

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