Epilepsy: Seizure and Brain Partial Seizures Essay

Submitted By leeh1231
Words: 509
Pages: 3
Open Document
Epilepsy, What is it?
Overview
Epilepsy is a common neurological (brain) disorder affecting 1% to 2% of the population. Epilepsy is characterised by recurring, spontaneous, stereotyped seizures. Seizures are the result of bursts of electrical activity within the brain, caused by an imbalance in the chemicals responsible for the transmission of impulses. A person’s behaviour will usually be different during a seizure.

What causes epilepsy?
Everyone has a genetically determined seizure threshold. Anyone can have a seizure if the trauma or disturbance is great enough to exceed the threshold. Factors such as fever, changes in blood chemistry, anxiety, sleep deprivation or alcohol may influence the onset of a seizure. Many people develop epilepsy not knowing why. Where the cause is known, it may be the result of: birth injuries • • severe head trauma • tumours • infections, e.g. meningitis, encephalitis • degenerative or vascular dementias • stroke • hormonal changes • genetically inherited conditions, e.g. tuberous sclerosis

Recognising seizures
Behaviour during a seizure can vary according to where in the brain the seizure arises. It may present as a convulsion, unusual body movement, a change in awareness, or simply a blank stare. The person may be unconscious or completely aware of what is happening. Seizures are classified as: • partial, affecting a small part of the brain • generalised, affecting the whole brain

Partial seizures
The disturbance in the brain begins in or involves a distinct focal area. The function of this area of the brain determines the behaviour during a seizure.

Simple partial seizures
Consciousness is not impaired. May present as: • a tingling, numb sensation or twitching in arm, leg or face • a distortion of light, smell, sound or space • an unexplained fear or anxiety Simple partial seizures may progress to involve the whole brain and often serve as a warning of further seizure activity (aura).

Epilepsy Association of New Zealand © Copyright 2011

Epilepsy, What is it?
Complex partial seizures
• • • • an altered state of consciousness characterised by a change in awareness a blank stare semi
Show More

Related Documents: Epilepsy: Seizure and Brain Partial Seizures Essay

Seizures 1 Essay

Seizures are one of the most common neurologic disorders, and, in some cases, can become dangerous for any human to have. This disorder affects over 2.7 million people in the United States. Every year 200,000 people are diagnosed with epilepsy: a medical condition that causes repeated seizures. An opportune understanding of seizures is the first step toward managing this disease and living life to the fullest. (7.) “Seizure” is a general term that refers to a sudden malfunction in the brain. The…

Words 1697 - Pages 7

Epilepsy Research Paper

Epilepsy is a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures. This disease is characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures electrical instabilities in the brain that can range from brief lapses of attention or muscle jerks to severe and prolonged convulsions. Epilepsy is a specific condition which may occur at any age, about 1 in 26 people in the United States will develop a seizure disorder. Seizures are more intense, longer lasting in duration, and recur with…

Words 919 - Pages 4

Case Study 3 Essay

#3 1. Epilepsy is a group of neurological disorders characterized by epileptic seizures. Epileptic seizures are episodes that can vary from brief and nearly undetectable to pro-longed periods of vigorous shaking. In epilepsy, seizures tend to recur, and have no immediate underlying cause while seizures that occur due to a specific cause are not deemed to represent epilepsy. Epilepsy is diagnosed through testing most commonly using an EEG or MRI like in Jerrod’s case. Three types of epilepsy are idiopathic…

Words 787 - Pages 4

Essay about CaseStudy 1

Taylour Troudt Case Study #1 Split My Brain: A Case Study of Seizure Disorder and Brain Function Jerrod Hamilton 7 year old boy. Child of Karen and Jeff. Usually a fairly normally active child. Was playing with his father when he started experiencing twitching in his right arm and was disoriented for a few seconds. After, Jerrod was less talkative than normal. Later on he experienced a couple more episodes and had the same symptoms (arm twitching and weakness). Symptoms include arm twitching and…

Words 1085 - Pages 5

Epilepsy Research Paper

Epilepsy is a chronic disorder that leads to unprovoked and recurrent seizures. A seizure refers to a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain. The feelings, actions, and thoughts of an individual are controlled by brain cells that message each other through consistent electrical impulses. There exist two main types of seizures – generalised and partial seizures. In generalised seizures, the whole brain is affected, whereas, in focal, or partial seizures, just one part of the brain is affected…

Words 559 - Pages 3

Epilepsy Research Paper

Epilepsy A Research Paper Presented to Mrs. Sandra Scott Robeson Community College In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements In English IV Bobbie Jo Murillo Lowery March 30, 2012 “Epilepsy is a neurological condition, which affects the nervous system. (www.epilepsy.com/101/ep101_epilepsy) Epilepsy is also known as seizure disorder. People…

Words 2481 - Pages 10

Epilepsy Essay

the brain. Some injuries that affect the brain can be permanent, meaning that there is no treatment to re-do the damage that has been caused. Other injuries that impact the brain can go through treatment processes that work on re-gaining strength in the areas that have been affected. You don’t always have to of caused physical damage to the brain in order to have an injury. Illness can also cause the brain to not work correctly. Epilepsy is a common illness that affects the brain. Epilepsy is a…

Words 516 - Pages 3

Epilepsy: Epilepsy and Regular School Activities Essays

Looking Into Epilepsy Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes an individual to have repeated convulsions and affect one’s ability to complete physical and mental functions. It is a condition that affects almost two and a half million Americans and fifty million people around the world. Epilepsy is also referred to as seizure disorder. This disorder is the third most common disorder in the United States followed by strokes and Alzheimer’s disease. Even though it is a common condition, it is one…

Words 1859 - Pages 8

Epilepsy: Central Nervous System

condition Epilepsy is a condition of recurrent, unprovoked seizures which are paroxysmal transient disturbance of nervous system function that results from the abnormal electric activity of the brain. • Can be categorized into two main types or groups, depending on the site of the seizures: partial (focal) seizures and generalized seizures. 2. Etiology: causative agent There are many plausible causes of epilepsy. These causes include genetic, acquired and provoking factors. Epilepsy, or seizure…

Words 1083 - Pages 5

exam 2 Essay

Seizures: Consists of loss of consciousness, abnormal body movement or motor activity, abnormal behavior, or sensory involvement. Some patients experience an aura prior to a seizure. Some causes are unknown but some are at greater risk from head trauma be it acute or in their history. If cause is unknown it is idiopathic , typically starting at a young age. New onset seizures usually slows down until the older years then can be contributed to other co-morbidities such as stroke, dementia, diabetes…

Words 1251 - Pages 6