Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which the nerve cell activity becomes disputed, causing seizures, sensations and sometimes loss of consciousness. Some of the symptoms associated with epilepsy include temporary confusion, a staring spell, uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs, and loss of consciousness or awareness. (Epilepsy, Mayo Clinic) Epilepsy can develop at any age in any person, but it’s most common in children and in people over 65. 1 in 26 people in the United States develop epilepsy at some point in their life. There are 65 million people in the world that has epilepsy. (Epilepsy Foundation) The cause of epilepsy remains unknown, but there are factors that could increase your chances of developing epilepsy. …show more content…
Doctor usually begin treating epilepsy with medications. Doctors prescribe anti-seizure or anti-epileptic medications to see if the person can become seizure-free or decrease the frequency and intensity of the seizures. When prescribing these medication doctors need to take into consideration the condition, frequency, age, and other factors for that person. Surgery may be an option when medication fail to provide the right control over seizures. In surgery, a surgeon removes the area of the brain that’s causing the seizures. Surgery is only an option when the seizure originates in a specific part of the brain and doesn’t interfere with vital function. Therapies are an alternative form for treating epilepsy. There are two most common type of therapies: Vagus nerve stimulation and ketogenic diet. In vagus nerve stimulation, a nerve stimulator is place underneath the skin of the chest and is connected to the vagus nerve of the neck. This device sends electrical energy through the vagus nerve to the brain, reducing seizures. Ketogenic diet breaks down fats instead of carbohydrates for energy. The diet is high in fats, but low in carbohydrates. This diet is mainly for children and helps reduce seizures. (Epilepsy, Mayo