What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a disease with typical seizures and temporary loss of control over certain body functions. An epileptic seizure is the result of a kind of 'short circuit' in the brain. Billions of brain cells use electrical signals to send commands to our body and mind. In epileptics, brain cells suddenly become overactive.Epilepsy may be congenital or acquired during life, and reveal itself at any age. It is estimated that over 100,000 people suffer from epilepsy in the Netherlands. Epilepsy occurs relatively more often in the mentally retarded.
Epileptic seizure
Epileptic seizures occur in many different forms and intensities, depending on the location in the brain where the disorder occurs.Lees meer...
Epileptic seizures occur in many different forms and intensities, depending on the location in the brain where the disorder occurs.
The duration and frequency of epileptic seizures also vary among patients. Seizures may develop very subtle, almost without being noticed by outsiders. However, a patient may also drop down with cramps. Seizures are categorized in:
- Partial seizures, as a result of a disorder in one part of the brain.
- Generalized seizures, resulting from a disorder occurring in both brain halves simultaneously. This is always accompanied with loss of consciousness.
The patient often does not remember exactly what happened during the epileptic seizure.
Causes of epilepsy
Epilepsy may have various causes, such as:Lees meer...
Epilepsy may have various causes, such as:
- Brain damage during childbirth
- Inflammation of the brain or the membranes surrounding the brain
- Brain injury caused by an accident
- Brain tumour
- A metabolic disorder
- Blood vessel disorders
- A hereditary predisposition
It can be difficult to identify the cause of epilepsy as a combination of factors may be present.
