Epilepsy is a common condition that affects approximately 1% of the world’s population, with many cases being genetic. However, head injuries, brain tumors, and drug and alcohol use can also cause epileptic seizures. The exact cause of seizures may not always be clear, but treatment aims to prevent electrical disturbances and reduce the likelihood of recurrent seizures. While half of patients respond well to medication and experience a nearly seizure-free life, about 30% require more complex treatments and 20% are resistant to drugs and may need surgery.
Despite being a chronic condition, modern drug treatments allow most epilepsy patients to lead normal lives with a decreasing reliance on medication over time. In some cases, patients may even be able to stop taking medication if they remain seizure-free for at least four years. Seizures can be caused by temporary conditions such as drug exposure or abnormal blood levels, which can be resolved without recurrence of seizures. However, conditions like head injury, stroke, tumors, birth defects, and metabolic diseases can lead to recurrent seizures.
Diagnosing epilepsy involves an electroencephalograph (EEG) test that records brain waves over time to identify any abnormalities that may require drug treatment. Other content listed in the article include top 10 lists for cleaning products, children’s pillows, juicers, air mattresses and power tools as well as online casino information and other miscellaneous topics which are unrelated to epilepsy.
