I hope I find you in good health. Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sent abnormal signals. Our brains function as our body's message center, and if there is a break in some or all of the brain function, a seizure can occur. A seizure ("fit") is an episode of disturbed brain function caused by abnormal electrical excitation in the brain. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. Having a seizure does not necessarily mean that you have epilepsy. Only when you have had two or more seizures are you considered to have epilepsy.
The word epilepsy comes from the Greek word epilambabein, meaning to seize or to attack. Epilepsy has been recognized as a unique disorder for thousands of years, and references to its symptoms occur through the ages ,from Babylonian to the Bible times.
Epilepsy is a disorder with many possible causes. Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of neuron activity, from illness to brain damage to abnormal brain development can lead to seizures.
There are several common causes of epilepsy. Developmental or genetic conditions present at birth, or injuries near birth can cause the disease in which case the seizures usually begin in infancy or early childhood .
Metabolic abnormalities can cause generalized seizures through disturbing the normal functioning of neurons. This may affect people of any age . It occurs when there is diabetes complications, electrolyte imbalances, kidney failure, uremia(toxic accumulation of wastes) and nutritional deficiencies. Alcohol and drug abuse (use of cocaine, amphetamines or certain other recreational drugs.) may cause seizures during intoxication, or when the offending substance is being withdrawn.
Injury to the brain may certainly cause epilepsy. It may affect any age, but most commonly it affects young adults. This includes

deprivation of oxygen at birth, trauma to the head at any time of life, and stroke (injury to part of the brain caused by blockage or bleeding of one of its blood vessels).
Infections may cause epilepsy in people of all ages. Brain infections like meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess and chronic infections (such as neurosyphilis) can produce seizures. Acute severe infections of any part of the body and complications of AIDS or other immune disorders can also produce seizures.
An inherited instability in the functioning of neurons seems to be responsible for the common forms of generalized epilepsy, especially absence attacks, and tonic -clonic seizures where there is a family history of similar disorder.
The severity of symptoms can vary greatly from simple staring spells to loss of consciousness and violent convulsions. For many patients, the event is stereotyped (the same thing over and over) while some patients have many different types of seizures that cause different symptoms each time.
The type of seizure you experience depends on a variety of factors, such as the part of the brain affected, the cause, and individual response.
An aura consisting of a strange sensation (such as tingling, smell, or emotional changes) occurs in some people prior to each seizure. Seizures may occur repeatedly without explanation.
Your doctor requires to elicit a history of recurrent seizures of any type to make diagnosis of epilepsy. A physical examination (including a detailed neuromuscular examination) may be normal, or it may show abnormal brain function related to specific areas of the brain.
An electroencephalograph (EEG), which is a reading of the electrical activity in the brain, may confirm the presence of various types of seizures. In some cases, it may indicate the location of the lesion causing the seizure.
After the diagnosis of epilepsy is made treatment will now depend on the cause. If an underlying cause for recurrent seizures (such as infection or diabetes) has been identified, the cause is treated, and this may stop the occurrence of further seizures.

Oral anti-convulsants may reduce the number of future seizures. Response is individual, and the medication used and dosage may have to be adjusted repeatedly. The type of medicine used depends on the seizure type, as some seizure types respond well to one medication and may respond poorly (or even be made worse) by others.
When a seizure occurs and you are an observer you can use common sense to prevent injuries. You need to stay calm, note the time, loosen any tight neckwear. turn the person on his or her side. prevent others from crowding round and cushion the person's head with something soft (like a jacket) to prevent injury. Only move the person if they are in a dangerous place, such as in the road or at the top of stairs. Move things away from them if there is a risk of injury. Do not attempt to restrain the convulsive movements. Allow the seizure to take its course. Observe seizure characteristics like length, type of movements, direction of head or eye turning. These characteristics may help the doctor diagnose the type of seizure
If you have epilepsy, you probably already know that it's not a mental disorder. Epilepsy is what you have, not what you are. You are not an "epileptic." But you are a person with epilepsy. Epilepsy is just part of your life, it is not your whole life. So listen to what your doctor says and don't allow anybody to pull you down.

Till next week take care of yourself and each other. And remember, '…in all your getting, get understanding.'