Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Solomon Benie on 12/02/2011 07:30:03

Title: What is epilepsy?
Post by: Solomon Benie on 12/02/2011 07:30:03

Solomon Benie  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Chris
 
I just wanted to find out what causes Epilepsy, and can it be cured....?
 
I have a 22 year old brother who is epileptic, and lately he has been fainting a lot, like once every week. He has been going to the hospital, but it seems as if the medication is not working. It is really worrying, because it does not look like he will be able to leave a normal life, if he keeps on having this problem. is the anything that can be done to manage, or stop it....?
 
I listen to you every Friday on Talk 702 (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/), and i have just been unlucky that my sms's don't reach Redi.
 
Thanking You
 
Solomon T Benie (Johannesburg, South Africa)

What do you think?

Title: What is epilepsy?
Post by: laurahill on 17/02/2011 07:20:04

Epilepsy is the some type of mental or panic disorder which is related to fits.Epilepsy occur due to the disturbance of brain functioning,our brain is the most complex electrical system which required more energy.Epilepsy is also called as seizure disorder which affects nervous system.
Some brain injury or some family tension or depression  are responsible for Epilepsy.
I think some meditation therapy.I think doctors may diagnosed epilepsy step by step depending on the patient condition.

Title: What is epilepsy?
Post by: RD on 17/02/2011 08:58:04

Quote from: laurahill on 17/02/2011 07:20:04

family tension ... responsible for Epilepsy

If you have epilepsy your family is only "responsible" if you have inherited it (https://www.epilepsy.com/101/EP101_inherited) from them,
or if you received a brain injury from one of them. 

Title: What is epilepsy?
Post by: LaviniaGillian22 on 18/02/2011 09:05:23

Epilepsy is a serious mental condition in which the person experiences convulsions of serious nature.

Title: What is epilepsy?
Post by: RD on 18/02/2011 11:16:29

Quote from: LaviniaGillian22 on 18/02/2011 09:05:23

Epilepsy is a serious mental condition

As it is possible for those with epilepsy to have focal seizures (http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizures/partial-seizures) which do not directly affect their mind, only their control of part(s) of their body, then neurological condition would be a more scientifically (and politically) correct description than "mental condition".

Title: What is epilepsy?
Post by: techmind on 19/02/2011 00:09:58

While it could be that the condition of brother of the OP is just evolving, I've heard that getting the anti-epilepsy drug balence right is a very fine line.

Apparently even switching to a different manufacturer of ostensibly the same drug and dose is often a cause of the onset of seizures after the patient has otherwise been controlled for some time. I believe (I may be wrong) that the NHS in the UK now allows exceptions to the must-buy-cheapest policy to provide continuity of identical product for epilepsy-sufferers - it's certainly been much campaigned-for.

I believe counterfiet drugs are also a significant issue - you might want to check out the supply-chain and packaging carefully.