| y is a condition that results from disturbance in the | | | | discovered in 1912. Later in 1938 phenytoin became |
| normal electrical activity of the brain that causes | | | | available which was able to treat epileptic seizures |
| recurrent unprovoked seizures. Epileptic seizures or | | | | with less sedation. Most of the second |
| fits may vary from momentary inattention, without | | | | generation drugs appeared in 1980s — |
| loss of consciousness (minor epilepsy), to muscular | | | | 1990s. Among them gabapentin (Neurontin), valproate |
| spasm and convulsions (major epilepsy). In 70 | | | | semisodium (Depakote), and topiramate (Topamax) |
| percent of cases there is no known cause why | | | | are the most widely prescribed medications. |
| epilepsy occurs. Multiple reasons are possible, such as | | | | More than 50% of people suffering from epilepsy are |
| head injury, brain surgery, strokes, and serious | | | | able to control their seizures with one single |
| infections as well as the use of certain drugs. In | | | | antiepileptic medication, but about 30% of patients |
| many cases the individual experiences some early | | | | will continue to experience fits. Such people are |
| warning signs. Some individuals have attacks only at | | | | usually prescribed two or more medications. |
| night. Very rarely individuals have an attack as a | | | | Epilepsy surgery is an option for people whose |
| result of a visual stimulus for example television | | | | seizures are not controlled with antiepileptic drugs. |
| screens or visual display units (this is known as photo | | | | The aim of surgical treatment is to locate and |
| sensitive epilepsy). Usually the attacks occur as a | | | | remove the specific part of the brain which is the |
| single event but some unfortunate individuals go on | | | | source of seizures. However, this approach is rather |
| to recurrent convulsions or prolonged | | | | dangerous as great care must be taken to identify |
| unconsciousness. In rare cases a major fit will follow | | | | the area and to ensure that removing it will not |
| a minor one. | | | | cause further damage. |
| Epilepsy is usually treated with drugs prescribed buy a | | | | Among other treatment options Ketogenic diet and |
| healthcare provider. Epilepsy surgery can be an option | | | | Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) are the most |
| for those patients whose fits recur in spite of | | | | promising. If the first one has been known for more |
| treatment with anticonvulsant medications. Other | | | | than 50 years the second one is rather new. |
| types of treatment may include ketogenic diet and | | | | Ketogenic diet was developed in 1920s. It is much |
| vagus nerve stimulation. | | | | higher in fat than a normal western diet. Though the |
| Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the main treatment for | | | | exact mechanism of action of this approach is |
| epilepsy. They are designed to restore the chemical | | | | unknown, it is supposed that using fat instead of |
| imbalance in brain cells that results in excessive | | | | carbohydrate to satisfy the body’s need for |
| electrical activity and leads to seizures. Different | | | | energy helps to reduce seizure frequency. This type |
| AEDs work in different ways and some are not yet | | | | of treatment is mainly applied to children with severe, |
| fully understood. Antiepileptic drugs are often divided | | | | medically-intractable epilepsies. |
| into two groups depending on how long they have | | | | VNS is a relatively new treatment which involves |
| been available: first generation or older | | | | electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve. The brain |
| medications and second generation that were | | | | receives mild electric pulses via the vagus nerve in |
| developed later in 1990s. | | | | the neck. |
| The first anticonvulsant was Phenobarbital, | | | | |