Epilepsy - Seizures

Epilepsy is a disorder of brain function that takes in long term, characterized by recurrent seizures (more than 2 times within 24 hours) without trigger factors. Seizures caused by excessive signals and abnormal brain cells (neuron), so causing temporary or sudden change, ranging from feeling, behaviour, movements or consciousness.

Based on the classification of the International Classification of Epileptic Seizures, seizures are divided into three main types :

Partial seizures involves only some areas of the brain, Generalized seizures involves the whole brain and seizures are not unclassified such as seizures in neonates (under a month old) and spasm infantile (under a year old).

Partial seizures divided into three, there are simple seizures, complex seizures and secondary tonic-clonic seizures. In simple seizures patients remain conscious during the attack while on complex seizures the patients has loss of the consciousness. Cause of simple seizures among other the abnormalities at the time of the birth process, tumors, head trauma, stroke and infection of the brain or surrounding structures.

General seizures is divided three, there are Absens seizures (petit mal), Myolclonic seizures and Tonic-clonic seizures. Tonic-clonic general seizures associated with drug and alcohol abuse, and low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) and blood sodium.

Certain psychiatric drugs, antihistamines or even antibiotic can cause tonic-clonic seizures. Absens seizures is characterized by the presence disorder of neurotransmitters balances (e.g GABA) in the brain that manage activities of nerve cells. First Aid In Seizures Patients