Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system resulting from excessive patterns of electrical activity in the brain. This causes the sufferer to experience repeated seizures in part or all of the body.
A person is declared to have epilepsy if he has had seizures more than once without a clear cause. Epilepsy can affect all age groups, but epilepsy usually begins in childhood.
Symptoms and Causes of Epilepsy
Seizures are the main symptom of epilepsy. Seizures in people with epilepsy are divided into two types, namely total seizures and partial seizures. Therefore, the symptoms that accompany seizures can vary according to the type.
The cause of epilepsy is not known with certainty. However, there are several conditions that are thought to affect the pattern of electrical activity in the brain, namely head injuries , meningitis, and cerebral palsy .
In addition, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing epilepsy, namely:
- Family history of epilepsy
- stroke
- Dementia
Epilepsy Treatment and Prevention
Epilepsy cannot be cured. However, there are medications that can be taken to reduce the frequency of seizures. If the administration of drugs is not effective enough, the doctor may recommend surgery.
People with certain health disorders can reduce their risk of developing epilepsy by eating a balanced nutritious diet, exercising, and not smoking. Meanwhile, in pregnant women, the risk of epilepsy in infants can be reduced by routinely checking the womb.