Informative Essay On Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a group of related neurological disorders characterized by a tendency of recurrent epileptic seizures and fits. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological problem whose prevalence affects 5-8.4 out of every 1000 people (depending on prevalence studies used). Epilepsy is expensive for both hospitals and patients and results in an overwhelming $15.5 billion in medical costs and lost or reduced earnings and production. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that more likely originates in the hippocampus, temporal lobes, or motor cortex due to these areas being particularly sensitive to certain situations that can provoke abnormal electrical transmissions. Although sometimes misdiagnosed, several tests are conducted to correctly diagnose

Throughout recorded history, as far back as ancient Babylonians, there have been theories and ideas of how address and treat this disorder. Ancient Greeks thought that those with Epilepsy had gotten the disorder from offending the Gods. Ancient Romans thought that the disorder came from demons attacking the body (knowingepilepsy.tripod.com). During the Renaissance, they thought that those with Epilepsy were prophets and during Modern times all the thoughts of Gods and demons faded and it led to the belief that Epilepsy was contagious and for that people suffering from Epilepsy were not allowed to marry and were kept separately from everyone. John Hughlings Jackson, the father of modern epileptology, made so many findings and advancements in understanding the in-workings of Epilepsy that were later confirmed and helped to pave the way for treatments and medications available today. Around 1932, Jackson refined his definition of Epilepsy, suggesting that Epileptic vertigo, petit mal and grand mal were due to differences of a discharge “beginning and spreading from the same parts of the brain” (Jackson, 1931-1932b). Jackson helped to pave the way for William Letchworth and Frederick Peterson to organize the National Association for the Study of Epilepsy and the Care and Treatment of Epileptics in the US in 1901. Despite the achievements made in Epileptology, there is still so much that is left