Focal Seizure Disorder

Epilepsy is a recurrent seizure disorder caused by abnormal electrical discharges of brain cells, often in the cerebral cortex. This is not a distinct disease is a group of disorders for which recurrent seizures are the presenting symptom. Different forms of epilepsy are either secondary to a particular brain abnormality or neurological disorder, or are called "idiopathic," without any obvious cause.

Generalized seizures are produced by electrical impulses throughout the entire brain, whereas partial seizures are produced (at least initially) by electrical impulses in a relatively small part of the brain. The part of the brain generating seizures is sometimes called the attention.

Seizures are symptoms of a brain problem. They occur because of sudden, abnormal electrical activity in the brain. When people think of seizures, they often think of seizures in which a person's body shakes rapidly and uncontrollably. Not all seizures cause convulsions. There are several types of seizures and some have mild symptoms. Seizures fall into two main groups. focal seizures, also called partial seizures, occur in one part of the brain. Generalized seizures are the result of abnormal activity on both sides of the brain.

Signs and symptoms

Seizures can cause involuntary changes in body movement or function, sensation, consciousness, or behavior. A seizure can last from a few seconds to status epilepticus, continuous seizure that will not stop without intervention. Seizure is often associated with a sudden and involuntary contraction of a muscle group. However, a seizure may be as subtle as walking numbness of a body part, a brief loss of memory, sparkling or flashes, sensing an unpleasant odor, a strange epigastric sensation or a feeling of fear. Therefore, crises are generally classified as motor, sensory, autonomous, emotional or cognitive.

For most people who have seizures, it is a symptom that follows a crisis - a very strong sense of fatigue. They could be just waking up in the morning, a little movement of their arms, and minutes later they are asleep. Some people who have had grand mal seizures or even partial, literally lying on the floor and sleep for a few minutes.

Seizures Treatment

Turn the person on his side after the convulsion ceases. This can help drain the moisture or secretions from the mouth of the person.

Do not try to hold or detain the person.

Most seizures are self-limiting and stop by themselves after varying periods of time. However, a person having a seizure may be injured, food, breathing, fluid or vomit into the lungs, or not enough oxygen. During a crisis, it is important to protect the person against injury. Turn the person on his side, so that any vomit is expelled. See seizure first aid.

There are many drugs used to treat epilepsy and convulsions. Most of these drugs are taken by mouth. Many people with epilepsy are able to prevent attacks by taking a single drug, but others require more than one.