NERVOUS SYSTEM

These attacks known as epileptic seizures, are brought on by abnormal discharges of electricity from millions of neurones that convey nerve signals in the brain. These signals go to different body parts which cause involuntary movements. These electrical signals can inhabit certain brain centres; for instance the speaking centre of the brain may be short circuited so that a person cannot speak.

Many different types of epileptic seizures exist. Grand mal seizures follow a burst of electrical charges that travel throughout motor areas, spreading to several areas of the brain. This can cause a lack of consciousness that can be lengthy or so quick that it almost goes unnoticed and appears simply as a twitch. Spasms occur in muscles of the arms and legs. The attacks can also cause the loss of urinary or bowel control. An epileptic, after experiencing a grand mal fit, may be disorientated and confused for a short period of time.

A petit mal seizure is more often seen in children and there can be many attacks during the day. These attacks are characterised by a loss of awareness for 5 - 30 seconds, and differ from a grand mal because there is no loss of motor control; the victim might only appear to be daydreaming. The major consequences of this form of epilepsy is loss of attentiveness which could be dangerous while driving a car.

Febrile convulsions are another form of brain disturbance somewhat related to epilepsy, generally seen in young children with a high temperature. Careful follow-up is needed because some children with febrile convulsions will become epileptic.

A form of epilepsy that is sometimes confused with mental illness is psychomotor (or “temporal lobe”) epilepsy where the victim loses contact with reality during an attack, showing no signs of convulsing.

The causes of epilepsy are not known. It can occasionally result from an accident to the head, a tumour, or childhood infection such as mumps or measles.

If frequent severe seizures are allowed to occur over a long period of time, some cerebral damage may occur. However, epilepsy almost never affects intelligence.

Epileptic seizures can be stopped or alleviated by drugs. These drugs can reduce the efficiency of other medications so that careful medical supervision is needed.

Generally an epileptic should not drink or smoke while the regulations concerning driving a motor vehicle vary from one state to another. Regular medical attention is necessary in order to monitor the condition.

For further information about epilepsy please contact your state’s Epilepsy Association or Foundation.