| Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the | | | | Seizures are sometimes known to cause brain |
| nervous system. It is also known as a seizure | | | | damage. Research indicates that in these cases, a |
| disorder, because a person suffering from epilepsy | | | | patient has suffered severe seizures. However, most |
| has seizures. It is diagnosed when a person has two | | | | seizures do not cause harm to the brain, and any |
| or more seizures that were not caused by some | | | | changes that arise are usually mild. |
| known medical condition such as alcohol withdrawal or | | | | Conclusive medical research indicates that epilepsy is |
| extremely low blood sugar. There has been | | | | not contagious. It is not caused by mental illness or |
| extensive research done on the causes and | | | | retardation. Most people suffering from epilepsy have |
| symptoms of epilepsy in order to formulate | | | | a normal or above average intelligence. A majority of |
| treatment methods. | | | | patients are able to lead normal lives. Epilepsy cannot |
| In epilepsy patients, the normal working pattern of | | | | be completely cured. However, there have been |
| the neuron is disturbed. This makes the patients | | | | cases where it eventually goes away through |
| behave in a strange way. Sometimes, patients suffer | | | | protracted treatment. |
| from convulsions, muscle spasms and loss of | | | | The likelihood of becoming free from seizure is not |
| consciousness, and the frequency of epileptic attacks | | | | very high for adults or for children with severe |
| may vary from one patient to another. | | | | epilepsy syndromes. However, it is possible that |
| It is estimated that over two million people in the U.S | | | | seizures may decrease or even stop over time. This |
| have been diagnosed with epilepsy. In the majority | | | | is more likely if the epilepsy has been controlled by |
| of patients, epilepsy can be controlled with modern | | | | medication, or if the patient has had epilepsy surgery. |
| medicines and surgical techniques. However, about | | | | Researchers in the US and the rest of the developed |
| twenty percent of the patients experience seizures | | | | world continue to study epilepsy in an attempt to |
| even after treatment. These cases are called | | | | develop a permanent cure. |
| "Intractable epilepsy." | | | | |