what is epilepsy? how some one can over come it?Who is the specialist doctor to deal with these cases? Thank u
113819
Epilepsy is: "A disorder characterized by transient but recurrent disturbances of brain function that may or may not be associated with impairment or loss of consciousness and abnormal movements or behavior."\n\nThere are many, many types of epilepsy.  Some you can overcome and out grow (otherwise called juvenile forms) and some that will be with you the rest of your life.  You can see a family practice physician who will usually refer you to a neurologist.  There, you can find out what type of epilepsy you have and if there is a chance of outgrowing it.  There is medication that you can take to help get your seizures under control.  Your neurologist can help you in determining your "shadows" as well.  Those are the symptoms that warn you when a seizure is about to take place.  You'll usually find yourself having shadows when certain triggers are present.  Sometimes you can learn to avoid those triggers as well.  Best of luck to you.
454539
You need to find a very good neurologist who understands children. She probably will need medication to avoid seizures.  I suspect the doctor will tell you that she stands a good chance to lead a good normal life if she is treated correctly. Good luck.
937318
There is a test called an EEG...........It stands  for ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM! ( E lec tro en ceph o la gram.)\nTests brain waves.\nLets back up a minute.........the way to know is if you have had a seizure.....A GRAND MAL Seizure is one where the patient convulses in a fetal position.....do no stop them....It shouldn't last but a few seconds to a minute or so....stay with them and protect their head if necessary. usually wets pants and tongue swells. Can't talk right when they wake up....\nA Petit mal seizure is where they will seem to stare into space for awhile then pass out..again it may last a few seconds to a few minutes............usually there is more than 1 seizure  and a EEG test to determine that it is epilepsy...
908611
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/77/95370.htm\nAbout Childhood Seizures\n\nhttp://www.webmd.com/content/article/60/67118.htm\nODD Resource\n\nAs a child I suffered from seizures until about the age of 8. the medication I was on to help prevent the seizures from happening was trial and error until they found something that worked. Often the medication would make me tired and I would take 2 hour naps in the middle of the day and continue to go to bed at my normal 7:30 bedtime. \n\nIt sounds like the doctor's can't tell you much right now because they haven't received the blood test results yet. Have you already considered talking to your doctor about reducing dosage of medication for the ODD and considering psychotheraphy as part of your child's treatment? Psychotherapy will help guide your child to understanding her condition and teaching her to learn from it and correct her behavior. If the medication is in fact affecting your child's quality of life to the same severity that ODD might have, you might want to consider options. Seizures aren't as bad as they seem although they can be scary for the person experiencing the seizure and those around them. Check out the link above.\n\nI hope you are seeing a nuerologist, as these are both brain-related conditions.
309062
Do you mean Epilepy?  Is your sister having seizures?  Epilepsy is a type of seizure disorder where the person seems to faint or become unresponsive and begins to shake.  There are different types of seizure disorders with symptoms that range from repetitive movements or even words to full blown seizures which involve rhythmic shaking of arms and legs, eye rolling, urination,fainting spells.  Seizures are a result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Causes of the abnormal impulses are many, including head trauma, tumors, chemicals or drugs,or in the case of epilepsy, just an area of the brain that doesn't work right.  Your sister probably also had an ECG or electroencepalogram which detects abnormal brain waves.\nThe MRI shows if there are any tumors or swelling or abnormal structures in the brain.\nYou sound sort of young or uninformed.  If you have questions always ask someone you trust.
2120
Unfortunately, I understand AND believe you.  I have a hard-to-diagnose condition that took me 16 doctors and 15 years to resolve.\n\nMany doctors have such huge egos that they assume that if THEY don't know the answer, that there ISN'T an answer, and therefore it's "all in your mind."\n\nDon't put up with this poppycock.  Find another neuro whose knowledge base is bigger than his ego.
1179899
This conditon is called "AKINETIC EPILEPSY". But it is not fits or any other serious ailment.It gradually disappears with age.Empathy is all that he needs.
362262
(m)\n\nEpilepsy, also called seizure disorder, chronic brain disorder that briefly interrupts the normal electrical activity of the brain to cause seizures, characterized by a variety of symptoms including uncontrolled movements of the body, disorientation or confusion, sudden fear, or loss of consciousness. Epilepsy may result from a head injury, stroke, brain tumor, lead poisoning, genetic conditions, or severe infections like meningitis or encephalitis. In over 70 percent of cases no cause for epilepsy is identified. Some 40 to 50 million people suffer from epilepsy worldwide and the majority of cases are in developing countries.\n\nEpileptic seizures vary in intensity and symptoms depending on what part of the brain is involved. In partial seizures, the most common form of seizure in adults, only one area of the brain is involved. Partial seizures are classified as simple partial, complex partial (also known as psychomotor), and absence (also known as myoclonic or petit mal) seizures.\n\nPeople who have simple partial seizures may experience unusual sensations such as uncontrollable jerky motions of a body part, sight or hearing impairment, sudden sweating or flushing, nausea, and feelings of fear.\n\nComplex partial seizures, also called temporal lobe epilepsy, last for only one or two minutes. The individual may appear to be in a trance and moves randomly with no control over body movements. The individual's activity does not cease during the seizure, but behavior is random and totally unrelated to the individual's surroundings. This form of seizure may be preceded by an aura (a warning sensation characterized by feelings of fear, abdominal discomfort, dizziness, or strange odors and sensations).\n\nAbsence seizures, rare in adults, are characterized by a sudden, momentary loss or impairment of consciousness. Overt symptoms are often as slight as an upward staring of the eyes, a staggering gait, or a twitching of the facial muscles. No aura occurs and the person often resumes activity without realizing that the seizure has occurred.\n\nIn a second type of epilepsy, known as generalized seizure, tonic clonic, grand mal, or convulsion, the whole brain is involved. This type of seizure is often signaled by an involuntary scream, caused by contraction of the muscles that control breathing. As loss of consciousness sets in, the entire body is gripped by a jerking muscular contraction. The face reddens, breathing stops, and the back arches. Subsequently, alternate contractions and relaxations of the muscles throw the body into sometimes violent agitation such that the person may be subject to serious injury. After the convulsion subsides, the person is exhausted and may sleep heavily. Confusion, nausea, and sore muscles are often experienced upon awakening, and the individual may have no memory of the seizure. Attacks occur at varying intervals, in some people as seldom as once a year and in others as frequently as several times a day. About 8 percent of those subject to generalized seizures may have status epilepticus, in which seizures occur successively with no intervening periods of consciousness. These attacks may be fatal unless treated promptly with the drug diazepam.
261978
I agree with all the comments. What I would say is whether its heart or epilepsy (brain), the situation needs attention now. I would suggest she goes to the doctor before it happens again. The doctor will likely identify the problem or refer her to an specialist. \n\nTESTS: An ECG would identify a heart condition and an EEG would identify epilepsy. Both these conditions can potentially kill, however, they are easily treated and controlled. Also, you can get blue lips as a result of epilepsy as well as heart.\n\nCHECK IT OUT NOW! Don't play with the heart or brain. Good luck. You are a great friend, she will listen to you.
870040
I am 29 and have Epilepsy.  I have had it since i was 7yrs old.  Seizures were controlled with medication for many years but recently started up again.  I don't know of any support groups but you can get some really good advice from people in the forum rooms on the Epilepsy Organisation Website.  They will also send you a monthly newsletter.  I found it helpful!  It's something that you just have to get on with, it's a part of your life.  Good luck. xxx
868455
My dad had a seizure in his sleep. It was probably the scariest thing ever. Seizures can come from just about anything. About 80% of people will have one seizure in their life, then never have one again! Weird, I know lol. Depending on the doctor, if it's a neurologist it's ok for them to be talking about a seizure, but most of the time the doctor is wrong.\n\nJust start getting more sleep (8 hours) and hopefully everything will turn out Ok.
25966
Hi, 2 of my daughters' had seizures. My oldest daughter had them on and off for about 8 yrs. There were conflicting diagnosis's as to the cause. My daughter is a diabetic and Diabetes can cause seizures, that was one diagnosis. The other diagnosis was Epilepsy. My daughter was treated with medication for Epilepsy, but has been seizure free for 10 years now, and has not had to take medication for 9 years. My other daughter had seizures also and she too is diabetic. Her seizures were not caused from the Diabetes or Epilepsy but from high fevers. She never took medication for them and eventually "out grew" them. In my opinion seizures can be very complex or relatively simple, however even doctors don't know all the causes of seizures sometimes the cause is never known. Hope this helped somewhat. I also have a nursing degree and what I learned about seizures from my schooling I think just covers the very basic knowledge we know and there is alot more to learn. I hope your aunt finds out the cause and is able to get treatment. Let me know if this info helped you or not. Email me at s_34_28_36@yahoo.com Good luck and God Bless you.
798078
any time there is an injury to the brain, there is a potential for seizure activity associated with that trauma.  You should be seeing a neurologist and getting a work up done which includes, EEG, CT and MRI.
963587
I had always known I had a form of epilepsy. My child has always known he has epilepsy. For someone who has just been diagnosed it might be a depressing thing?\nEpilepsy is a life threatening disease. I do remember a new drug I was put on when in middle school, early teens. I was so out of it that I quit taking the medication to my parents horror! It made me feel "out of it". School work is something that suffered at the time a great deal. I choose not to be on medication for this and do not have grand mals to much...My child is on medication two times a day for the last 8 years. I would like him to be medication free some day....\nYour friend has to deal with her diagnoses. She has to realize that ANY stress on the body (who doesn't have stress right?) can bring someone into a seizure. Depression being a huge stress on the body, which might bring on a seizure which sometimes puts one into the hospital......the cycle continues. \nPlease do not ever leave your friend!! This is a very lonely thing to have! People can not see on the outside anything is wrong, Therefore nothing is wrong with you right? People in society can be VERY cruel. This has been my experience. People who do not no any better do not realize people with seizures get tired, get edgy and get cranky. This is not something one means to do...\nPeople with depression tend to "self medicate" with alcohol or drugs. Being a epileptic this is a VERY big no no!! Social situations can be a no no. Athletics can be a no no. Depending on how sever her seizures are.\nI was in athletics as well as a very active youth with only a couple accidents. Tell her just to be careful!\nBe her friend! Learn yourself about seizures and what to do when your friend goes into one. This is a very scary thing for all epileptics, is when one goes into a seizure. I am told I should not be embarrassed when I go into one in public, but I still am. I am trying hard to let my youngest child who is 11 have a normal life. It is hard not to be very protective, and/or to protect him from my bad experiences, knowing in todays society more people no about seizures then the 60's-70's. \nGood luck and just asking this question for your friend tells me you are a keeper as far as a friend!
216959
I know what you mean as I'm epileptic. For me the difficult part is finding somebody that will even try and understand what's happening and why, when I have a seizure.  How many of the people answering this question actually have epilepsy? Keep on looking and you'll find a mate.
597145
I just wanted to add a bit of info.  I dated a girl who was epilleptic, so I did lots of research on epillepsy when we were dating.  According to John Hopkins website, if someone has a seizure for more than 6 (six) minutes, brain damage is occuring and thus a ambulance should be called. \n\nHOWEVER, when we were dating, she never had a seizure shorter than 6 minutes and she recovered just fine.  In fact, she always told me not to call the ambulance because she knew she would be just fine, and technically all doctors can do is give anti-convulsants (rectally, by the way) and muscle relaxers.  She was always much happier (in the lightest sense) coming out of a seizure and being in her own bed rather than in a hospital bed, having to deal with doctors/nurses/hospital bills/insurance company/department of transportation (hospitals are required to report anyone of driving age who has a seizure to the DOT).\n\nThe best position to put a seizure victim in is to have them on their side, never their back (that way their airway doesn't get clogged with mucus/vomit/etc.  They should only be restrained if they are injuring themselves or others.  They should be touched as minimal as possible since this may trigger more seizures.  Do not put anything in their mouth, namely fingers!  Monitor breathing and heartrate between seizures, perform CPR if necessary.  \n\nWhen she came out of her seizures, she was usually very emotional, which was problematic and usually caused another seizure.  I always helped her to the bathroom afterwards since she was especially weak after a seizure and she always wanted tylenol and water. \n\nThat's about it.  Good luck, this was probably more than you wanted to read, but if someone else reads it, I'll be glad.  At least they'll know what to do when someone has a seizure rather than throw holy water on them, thinking they are possessed by a demon :)
904081
Registered Nurse here; Yes Dear you see a Physician Immediately.  As for a seizure, I have read your question 3 times, sounds like a seize, except for one thing, you remained awake during the entire spell, correct? That's what's confusing me, I have seen hundreds of seizures, and I'm unable to recall ever seeing a patient remain aware of there surroundings during and immediately following a seize.  Now saying you were zoned out, this is certainly what we call post dictal, and follows a seizure.  But Sweetheart, your health is far to important for me to speculate here on Yahoo, having a history of seizures, and with this latest episode, you already know, it is indeed time to return to the doctor.  Thank you for allowing me to address such an important and sensitive question.