Epilepsy Research
Epilepsy is a condition in which the person is prone to develop recurring seizures. The cause of recurrent seizures sometimes is found by a test of an MRI, magnetic resonance imaging, which shows scarring in tiny areas of the brain. Seizures for young people before age in the middle twenties usually have no identifiable causes, but a disease such as stroke or trauma usually causes seizures that happen later.
Epileptic seizures in people who are epileptics may be initiated by a number of insignificant things such as repetitive movements, lights flashing, or many other activities. A strong stimulant or activity can activate a seizure in a person who does not have epilepsy such as a diabetic with a significantly elevated level of blood sugar, or a strong drug such as heroin or cocaine.
To diagnose whether a seizure has taken place, a doctor needs to talk to a person who can give an accurate description of the occurrence because many of the same indications of seizure are not a true seizure. In addition the doctor needs to take additional tests for confirmation, which may include an EEG, which checks for electrical activity in the brain. Other tests may be necessary to see if there is a disease or condition that is the underlying cause. If there is an underlying cause such as high blood sugar level or tumor, that condition is treated first, which usually will eliminate the seizures. If no cause can be found, the seizure is treated and there are many options in drugs that may be used. A person taking drugs for epilepsy should have an alert bracelet with identity of the disease. A healthy lifestyle of weight control, exercise and nutrition are beneficial for an epileptic. Also all forms of alcohol should be eliminated from the diet. If the person is aware of any activity that initiates a seizure, it should be eliminated. Driving should be avoided, as it may be illegal in some states unless the epileptic has gone for a year without a seizure.
