Posted By : Laura Taylor Eaddy and Erica Thomas
There are multiple definitions of Epilepsy, and the definition can change depending on the physician, the patient and the situation. The most common definition is Epilepsy that it is a neurological condition, which affects the nervous system. Epilepsy is also known as a seizure disorder. The seizures in epilepsy may be related to a brain injury or a family tendency, but most of the time the cause is unknown. The word "epilepsy" does not indicate anything about the cause of the person's seizures, what type they are, or how severe they are. Epilepsy can also be referred to as an expression of a chronic neurological condition of which one manifestation is recurrent seizure, or a self-limited condition that resolves over several years. It can also be described as a chronic condition characterized by recurrent seizures that is an expression of an underlying brain abnormality
Epilepsy can develop in any person at any age, although people with certain conditions may be at a greater risk. About 75% of people with epilepsy had their first seizures in childhood. Epilepsy affects about 2.0 million Americans, and in 2010, nearly 140,000 new cases of epilepsy were diagnosed in the United States. Epilepsy results in an estimated annual cost of $15.5 billion in medical costs and lost or reduced earnings and production. About 10% of people will experience a seizure sometime during their lifetime and about 3% will have had a diagnosis of epilepsy by age 80. It is estimated that about 75% of people with epilepsy had their first seizures in childhood. More than 30 different types of seizures have been described. Some researchers have estimated that as many as 500 different genes could be linked to epilepsy. It is usually diagnosed after a person has had at least two seizures that were not caused by some known medical condition like alcohol withdrawal or extremely low blood sugar. Sometimes, according to the International League Against Epilepsy, epilepsy can be diagnosed after one seizure, if a person has a condition that places them at high risk for having another. Treatment of epilepsy is diverse and ranges from medical intervention, to special diets, to brain surgery and removal of affected tissue. While some of these treatment techniques can prove effective in the maintenance and reduction of seizures, there is no known cure for Epilepsy.
Resources For Children with Epilepsy:
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
www.ncdhhs.gov/disabilities/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/
Epilepsy Foundation of North Carolina
www.epilepsyfoundation.org
Beyond Academics
www.beyondacademics.org
http://beyondacademics.blogspot.com/ (videos)
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