classifications

Epilepsies are classified in five ways:

-By their first cause, known as etiology.
-By the observable manifestations of the seizures, known as semiology.
-By the location in the brain where the seizures originate.
-As a part of discrete, identifiable medical syndromes.
-By the event that triggers the seizures, as in primary reading epilepsy.

In 1981, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) proposed a classification scheme for individual seizures that remains in common use. This classification is based on observation (clinical and EEG) rather than the underlying pathophysiology or anatomy. In 1989, the ILAE proposed a classification scheme for epilepsies and epileptic syndromes.

This can be broadly described as a two-axis scheme having the cause on one axis and the extent of localisation within the brain on the other. Since 1997, the ILAE have been working on a new scheme that has five axes: ictal phenomenon, seizure type, syndrome, etiology and impairment. The word ictal refers to a physiologic state or event such as a seizure, stroke or headache. In electroencephalography, or EEG, the recording during an actual seizure is said to be "ictal". Inter-ictal refers to the state between events.

G. Yi Hui

types of epileptic seizures

Epileptic seizures fall into two main categories: partial and generalized.

Partial seizures start in one part of the brain. The electrical disturbances may then move to other parts of the brain or they may stay in one area until the seizure is over. A person having a partial seizure may lose consciousness. There may be twitching of a finger or several fingers, a hand or arm, or a leg or foot. Certain facial muscles might twitch. Speech might become slurred, unclear, or unusual during the seizure. The person's vision might be affected temporarily. He or she might feel tingling throughout one side of the body. It all depends on where in the brain the abnormal electrical activity is taking place.

Generalized seizures involve electrical disturbances that occur all over the brain at the same time. The person may appear to be daydreaming, may stare off into space, or may pass out. The muscles may stiffen and the person might make sudden jerking motions, such as flinging the arms outward. He or she may suddenly go limp and slump down or fall over.

Xu xianan

What is that??

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. These seizures are transient signs and symptoms due to abnormal, excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy at any one time. Epilepsy is usually controlled, but not cured, with medication, although surgery may be considered in difficult cases.

Not all epilepsy syndromes are lifelong – some forms are confined to particular stages of childhood. Epilepsy should not be understood as a single disorder, but rather as a group of syndromes with vastly divergent symptoms but all involved episodic abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

G. Yi Hui

WELCOME! 你好！KONICHIWA! BONJOUR! SELAMAT DATANG!

Hey! Welcome to our blog :)

We have decided to dedicate this blog to EPILEPSY after much, much, much pondering, wandering and discussing. We will be discussing about the causes, classifications, diagnosis, types, syndromes, treatments and some legal implications involved.

Have fun reading and please provide us with any comments that you have :)

G. Yi Hui