What kind of disease is epilepsy?
Disease description:
One of my colleagues suddenly had an epileptic seizure at work; he convulsed severely. I had only heard about this condition before but never witnessed it. I would like to ask what kind of disease epilepsy is.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder, also known as convulsive disorder or羊癫疯 (a Chinese term for epilepsy). It is primarily caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain's neurons, leading to sudden, brief, and recurrent episodes of cerebral dysfunction. These dysfunctions may manifest as various symptoms including limb convulsions, impaired consciousness, sensory abnormalities, or psychiatric and behavioral disturbances. Epileptic seizures are categorized into two major types—generalized and partial seizures—with specific symptoms varying among individuals.
The causes of epilepsy are diverse and may be related to genetic factors, brain disorders, or systemic diseases. Treatment options for epilepsy mainly include pharmacological therapy, surgical intervention, and neuromodulation therapy, aiming to control seizures and improve patients' quality of life.
Patients with epilepsy require long-term regular medication and periodic follow-up visits to monitor disease progression. They should also avoid potential seizure triggers such as excessive fatigue, mental stress, lack of sleep, and alcohol consumption, in order to reduce seizure frequency and enhance quality of life.
