Epilepsy is a neurological disorder where electrical activity in the brain causes recurring seizures. Seizures are sudden surges of abnormal electrical activity that affect an individual’s appearance and actions. There are many types of this disorder on the spectrum and multiple types of seizures that impact regions of the brain.
“Epilepsy syndromes are frequently described by their symptoms or by where in the brain they originate.” (National Institute of Neurological Disorders). Absence epilepsy is repeated seizures with momentary loss of consciousness. When the frontal lobe is affected, it results in muscle weakness or uncontrolled movement, such as waving arms or legs. This type can occur while asleep or awake.
It is most common for the temporal lobe to be affected . Symptoms can include nausea, bursts of intense emotions, unusual smells or taste, and brief loss of consciousness. “Research has shown that repeated temporal lobe seizures are often associated with shrinkage and scarring (sclerosis) of the hippocampus. The hippocampus is an important brain region for memory and learning.” (National Institute of Neurological Disorders).
This disorder is also related to depression. “There is a bidirectional relationship between the two. People with this disorder are more likely to report symptoms of depression, and depression may make epilepsy more likely. Brain areas responsible for seizures also affect mood, which may help explain this relationship.” (Medical News Today, 2021).
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1.2% of people in the United States have this active disease. It affects around 3 million adults and 470,000 children in the country.” (Medical News Today). Active epilepsy is defined as the cause of one or more seizures in the past year and requires medication to control.
Every year, “48 in 100,000 people will develop epilepsy. New diagnoses are highest in young children and older adults, with people over 65 having the highest incidence.” (Medical News Today). On average, this disorder is more common in males than females. Epilepsy is incurable, but treatment can help reduce the frequency of seizures or stop them completely.
Blog written and researched by Harley.
Resources
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/epilepsy-and-seizures#:~:text=It%20can%20affect%20the%20part,with%20some%20loss%20of%20awareness.
https://www.epilepsy.com/what-is-epilepsy/understanding-seizures
