Epilepsy, NCDPC FAQ

It is a brain disorder characterized by repeated seizuers ('fits') that may take several forms, ranging from the shortest lapse of attention to sever and frequent convulsions.
Common manifestations include loss of awareness/ consciousness, disturbances of movement, sensation including vision, hearing, taste, autonomic function, mood and mental functions.
Seizures may vary from the briefest lapse of attention or muscle jerks to severe and prolonged convulsions to a state of frequent recurrent attacks without recovery of consiousness between each episode known as status epilepticus.
Attacks may vary in frequency, from less than one per year to serveral per day.

It is the result of sudden usually brief excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells. Any part of the brain can be the site of epilepsy.
Seizures are classified according to the site of the brain in which they arise as follows generalized seizures, partial or focal seizures and which then trigger and are followed by generalized attack.
Any kind of brain disease (infection, injury, vascular, tumour, congenital and degenerative) can cause seizures.
In many cases, where there is no detectable brain disorder, the most commonly accepted theory is that seizures are a result of an imbalance of the chemical neurotransmitter in the brain.
There are some provocative factors in some patients for epilepsy like photic stimulation (disco lights, television, computers, etc.) overbreathing, overhyrdation, loss of sleep,emotional and physical stress.

Available anti-epileptic medications are effective and cost efficient
About 70%^ of newly diagnosed cases can be successfully treated with an anti-epileptic medication that is taken without interruption
After 2-5 seizuer-free years, the anti-epileptic medication may be gradually withdrawn in 60-70% of cases

Department of Health