What is epilepsy?

What is the prevalence and how common is this disorder?

What are the causes of that disorder?

  • In older adults, cerebrovascular disease is a very common cause. Other causes are CNS tumors, head trauma, and other degenerative diseases which are common in the older age group, such as dementia.

Is it possible for epilepsy to affect children schoolastic performance?
There is a well known epileptic syndrome called “ABSCENCE FITS”. It is seen more common in the childhood period , usually characterized by attacks of abscence and loss of concentration and attention without complete loss of conciouscness , usually the main complaining person is the teacher , that they noticed these attacks of staring and inattention.

Is there any investigations for this disorder?
We have 2 types of investigations:
The first one is radiological investigations , CT brain or MRI brain to study brain structure to exclude organic causes like haemorrahge , tumors , etc…….
The second one is neurophysiological studies as EEG.
As shown in next figure.

Generalized 3 Hz spike and wave discharges in EEG


  • Epilepsy is usually treated with medication prescribed by a, neurologists.
  • Epilepsy is usually controlled, although surgery may be considered in difficult cases. However, over 30% of people with epilepsy do not have seizure control even with the best available medications.

MB.BChH, M.Sc (neurology), M.D. (neurology),
Lecturer at GMU and neurology specialist at GMC hospital, Ajman, UAE.


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