Epilepsy – A Brain Disorder

Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which groups of neurons, or nerve cells in the brain start signalling unusually. This disorder can cause noticeable symptoms, such as muscle contractions, strange sensations, odd emotions & behaviour, fits, and loss of consciousness. In short, it creates changes in the brain’s electrical action.

Our brain is the command center in our body which transmits messages to other body parts. When it is disturbed or doesn’t work properly, it causes disorders in the way we act. Nerve cells connect with each other through electrical particles and travel through the brain. When other actions affect normal brain activities, a seizure takes place. This then results, in people start shaking and make uncontrollable movements.

Seizures in the brain can last between half a minute to two minutes. Sometimes, people do not realize when they have seizures. They just start feeling sensation in their body or may feel lost for a few seconds. Seizures can occur from various health conditions. Anything that influences the body may also distract the brain that can lead to a seizure. Few examples include: strokes, infections, bites, stings, low blood glucose level, sudden alcohol withdrawal, etc. Some doctors connect Epilepsy to Alzheimer’s disease.

According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately 50 million people around the world who suffer from Epilepsy. Epileptic seizures are very common in developing countries because people there suffer from many diseases that can lead to brain damage and can cause a seizure.

Seizures are easily treatable. However, the treatment depends on the cause. By treating the reason of the seizures, one can prevent seizures from occurring in the future. The treatment usually includes medications, surgery to cure brain irregularities, nerve stimulation and a special diet, known as a ketogenic diet. A ketogenic diet refers to the food that is high in fats and low in carbohydrates so that the body burns more fat as compared to sugar. About one third of people took ketogenic diet have become free of seizures.

In many cases, an epileptic seizure isn’t treatable. Though, keeping a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk. In those circumstances try to take plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, eat a healthy balanced diet or get engaged in stress-reducing activities.

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