For half the people with epilepsy, a cause cannot be found. Epilepsy can originate right after birth or can occur at any time. Epilepsy is not contagious. Having a single seizure does not mean you definitely have epilepsy. Not everything that appears to simulate a seizure is an epileptic seizure" Seizures can emanate from a variety of causes: a birth defect, brain tumor, lesion, or infection in the brain, brain damage, allergic reaction, emotional stress, withdrawal from addictive substances, and hypoglycemia. Other causes are cardiac arrhythmias, syncope, panic attacks, cataplexy, encephalitis, memeingitis, high fever. Drug toxicity and "certain medications like tryclclic antidepressants, cause seizures as does withdrawal from drugs like anticonvulsants and sedatives. Even video games and certain television programs can trigger photosensitive epilepsy, such as the infamous episode of Pokemon, Electric Soldier Porygon.
Since seizures cause involuntary changes in body movement or function, sensation, awareness, or behavior, calming or creating different electromagnetic communications in the brain's electrical function is necessary to control them. Most seizure activity can be managed. Traditional medicine has been using medication and at times exterior electromagnetic stimulation procedures to redirect brain activity. Energy Healing is a non invasive option to treat seizures.
Energy healing directs energy frequencies that facilitate change in the electromagnetic fields of neural pathways and brain waves, thereby creating an alternative therapy for seizure control. In my practice as an energy healer, an 81-year-old woman was relieved of all seizures by reestablishing normal electromagnetic patterns within her brain waves. Dog seizures can usually be stabilized within a few minutes, and their recurrence rate diminished within a few days. A cat having seizures was immediately stabilized, and eventually required no medication. Energy Healing can effect seizure activity whether it is being focused by the healer either onsite at the client's location, or sent as distance or remote energy healing. Even status epilepticus seizures can be reduced to manageable events that present less often. An interesting note; when an energy healer is directing healing energy to a client who has a seizure service dog, the dog is aware of the different energy in the room.
Using focused healing energy electromagnetic fields from the healer to the client is becoming an area of interest and research in integrated medicine, which is the combination of allopathic medicine with alternative healing modalities. Energy medicine is becoming an accepted healing modality that allows those having seizures to have more options to control and manage their seizures in addition to serious procedures, long-term treatments, and heavy prescription drugs. Energy Healing is the cutting edge of future medicine to help facilitate health and well being in the client.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Living with epilepsy .
Epilepsy is a neurological condition ,that affects the nervous system. It is also known as a seizure disorder, because a person suffering from epilepsy has seizures. It is diagnosed when a person has two or more seizures that were not caused by some known medical condition such as alcohol withdrawal or extremely low blood sugar. There has been extensive research done on the causes and symptoms of epilepsy in order to formulate treatment methods.
In epilepsy patients, the normal working pattern of the neuron is disturbed. This makes the patients behave in a strange way. Sometimes, patients suffer from convulsions, muscle spasms and loss of consciousness, and the frequency of epileptic attacks may vary from one patient to another.
It is estimated that over two million people in the U.S have been diagnosed with epilepsy. In the majority of patients, epilepsy can be controlled with modern medicines and surgical techniques. However, about twenty percent of the patients experience seizures even after treatment. These cases are called "Intractable epilepsy."
Seizures are sometimes known to cause brain damage. Research indicates that in these cases, a patient has suffered severe seizures. However, most seizures do not cause harm to the brain, and any changes that arise are usually mild.
Conclusive medical research indicates that epilepsy is not contagious. It is not caused by mental illness or retardation. Most people suffering from epilepsy have a normal or above average intelligence. A majority of patients are able to lead normal lives. Epilepsy cannot be completely cured. However, there have been cases where it eventually goes away through protracted treatment.
The likelihood of becoming free from seizure is not very high for adults or for children with severe epilepsy syndromes. However, it is possible that seizures may decrease or even stop over time. This is more likely if the epilepsy has been controlled by medication, or if the patient has had epilepsy surgery. Researchers in the US and the rest of the developed world continue to study epilepsy in an attempt to develop a permanent cure.
In epilepsy patients, the normal working pattern of the neuron is disturbed. This makes the patients behave in a strange way. Sometimes, patients suffer from convulsions, muscle spasms and loss of consciousness, and the frequency of epileptic attacks may vary from one patient to another.
It is estimated that over two million people in the U.S have been diagnosed with epilepsy. In the majority of patients, epilepsy can be controlled with modern medicines and surgical techniques. However, about twenty percent of the patients experience seizures even after treatment. These cases are called "Intractable epilepsy."
Seizures are sometimes known to cause brain damage. Research indicates that in these cases, a patient has suffered severe seizures. However, most seizures do not cause harm to the brain, and any changes that arise are usually mild.
Conclusive medical research indicates that epilepsy is not contagious. It is not caused by mental illness or retardation. Most people suffering from epilepsy have a normal or above average intelligence. A majority of patients are able to lead normal lives. Epilepsy cannot be completely cured. However, there have been cases where it eventually goes away through protracted treatment.
The likelihood of becoming free from seizure is not very high for adults or for children with severe epilepsy syndromes. However, it is possible that seizures may decrease or even stop over time. This is more likely if the epilepsy has been controlled by medication, or if the patient has had epilepsy surgery. Researchers in the US and the rest of the developed world continue to study epilepsy in an attempt to develop a permanent cure.
Risk factors for epilepsy
Babies who are small for their gestational age
Babies who have seizures in the first month of life
Babies who are born with abnormal brain structures
Bleeding into the brain
Abnormal blood vessels in the brain
Serious brain injury or lack of oxygen to the brain
Brain tumors
Infections of the brain: abscess, meningitis, or encephalitis
Stroke resulting from blockage of arteries
Cerebral palsy
Mental handicap
Seizures occurring within days after head injury ("early posttraumatic seizures")
Family history of epilepsy or fever-related seizures
Alzheimer's disease (late in the illness)
Fever-related (febrile) seizures that are unusually long
Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine
Mild head injuries, such as a concussion with just a very brief loss of consciousness, do not cause epilepsy.
Babies who have seizures in the first month of life
Babies who are born with abnormal brain structures
Bleeding into the brain
Abnormal blood vessels in the brain
Serious brain injury or lack of oxygen to the brain
Brain tumors
Infections of the brain: abscess, meningitis, or encephalitis
Stroke resulting from blockage of arteries
Cerebral palsy
Mental handicap
Seizures occurring within days after head injury ("early posttraumatic seizures")
Family history of epilepsy or fever-related seizures
Alzheimer's disease (late in the illness)
Fever-related (febrile) seizures that are unusually long
Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine
Mild head injuries, such as a concussion with just a very brief loss of consciousness, do not cause epilepsy.
Symptoms of epilepsy .
There is a fine balance in the brain between factors that begin electrical activity and factors that restrict it, and there are also systems that limit the spread of electrical activity. During a seizure, these limits break down, and abnormal electrical discharges can occur and spread to whole groups of neighboring cells at once. This linkage of electrical discharges creates a "storm" of electrical activity in the brain. This is a seizure. When a person has had at least two of these seizures, that's called epilepsy.
How does epilepsy begin?
The reasons why epilepsy begins are different for people of different ages. But what's true for every age is that the cause is unknown for about half of everyone with epilepsy.
Children may be born with a defect in the structure of their brain, or they may suffer a head injury or infection that causes their epilepsy. Severe head injury is the most common known cause in young adults. In middle age, strokes, tumors, and injuries are more frequent. In people over 65, stroke is the most common known cause, followed by degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
Why does it sometimes take years before someone with a brain injury experiences a seizure?
Often seizures do not begin immediately after a person has an injury to the brain. Instead, a seizure may happen many months later. We do not have a good explanation for this common observation, but scientists are actively researching this subject.
How does epilepsy begin?
The reasons why epilepsy begins are different for people of different ages. But what's true for every age is that the cause is unknown for about half of everyone with epilepsy.
Children may be born with a defect in the structure of their brain, or they may suffer a head injury or infection that causes their epilepsy. Severe head injury is the most common known cause in young adults. In middle age, strokes, tumors, and injuries are more frequent. In people over 65, stroke is the most common known cause, followed by degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
Why does it sometimes take years before someone with a brain injury experiences a seizure?
Often seizures do not begin immediately after a person has an injury to the brain. Instead, a seizure may happen many months later. We do not have a good explanation for this common observation, but scientists are actively researching this subject.
Facts About Epilepsy .
Epilepsy can develop in any person at any age. 0.5% to 2% of people will develop epilepsy during their lifetime. People with certain conditions may be at greater risk. (See "What causes epilepsy?")
About 2.7 million Americans have been treated for epilepsy in the past 5 years. That's 8 or 9 out of every 1,000 people. In other words, out of 60,000 people filling a big stadium, about 500 have epilepsy. More men than women have epilepsy.
When are people most likely to get epilepsy?
New cases of epilepsy are most common among children, especially during the first year of life. The rate of new cases gradually declines until about age 10, and then becomes stable. After age 55 or 60, the rate starts to increase, as people develop strokes, brain tumors, or Alzheimer's disease. (All of these disorders can cause epilepsy.)
Facts About Epilepsy
Up to 5% of the world’s population may have a single seizure at some time in their lives.
It is likely that around 60 million people in the world have epilepsy at any one time.
Children and adolescents are more likely to have epilepsy of unknown or genetic origin than adults.
Epilepsy can start at any age.
Recent studies show that seizures in up to 70% of children and adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy can be controlled with medications; however, many of these people experience treatment-related side effects.
Seizures in up to 30% of people with epilepsy do not respond to available
About 2.7 million Americans have been treated for epilepsy in the past 5 years. That's 8 or 9 out of every 1,000 people. In other words, out of 60,000 people filling a big stadium, about 500 have epilepsy. More men than women have epilepsy.
When are people most likely to get epilepsy?
New cases of epilepsy are most common among children, especially during the first year of life. The rate of new cases gradually declines until about age 10, and then becomes stable. After age 55 or 60, the rate starts to increase, as people develop strokes, brain tumors, or Alzheimer's disease. (All of these disorders can cause epilepsy.)
Facts About Epilepsy
Up to 5% of the world’s population may have a single seizure at some time in their lives.
It is likely that around 60 million people in the world have epilepsy at any one time.
Children and adolescents are more likely to have epilepsy of unknown or genetic origin than adults.
Epilepsy can start at any age.
Recent studies show that seizures in up to 70% of children and adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy can be controlled with medications; however, many of these people experience treatment-related side effects.
Seizures in up to 30% of people with epilepsy do not respond to available
Epilepsy neurology.
People with epilepsy suffer from abrupt convulsions or blackouts. These convulsions are in medical terms called seizures. These are caused by sudden interruptions or excessive activity in the brain cells that result in cessation or mix-up of signals. Since the brain is pivotal to govern all our actions, the intensity and outcome of the seizures depend on which part of the brain has been affected.
Epilepsy is a syndrome and not a disease. It is broadly classified as generalized and partial. The generalized seizures impact the entire brain. A few examples of seizures are clonic, myoclonic, and tonic. Partial seizures begin in one part of the brain. They either stay at the same place or move to other parts.
The disorder has a direct impact on the nerves and related systems. Patients with the disorder, epileptics, suffer from intermittent seizures. Hence, they experience a certain level of physical discomfort or impairment during attacks. Occasional seizures are often mistaken for attacks of epilepsy.
The symptoms vary in intensity according to the individuals afflicted. Some patients experience only mild tremors in their limbs whereas others lose consciousness when seizures occur. Factors such as health history, frequency of seizures, and age prove vital in correctly diagnosing and treating the syndrome.
The causes for epilepsy vary according to each person’s lifestyle and health. The widely known reasons for epilepsy attacks are excessive drinking, lack of enough sleep, professional and personal stress, and chronic illness.
Epilepsy may not necessarily hamper a person’s professional routine if there is sufficient control of the disorder through proper and timely anti-epileptic medication. Persons working in factories or workplaces involving use of heavy equipment are provided with standard safety gear that suffices to protect epileptics.
Worldwide, physicians and researchers are essaying to discover newer panacea and diagnostic techniques for the disorder and make life easier for the patients. Various avenues such as bioengineering, sophisticated imaging and video captures, and genetic engineering are aiding the cause. Epilepsy foundations are set up in various locations to improve.
Epilepsy is a syndrome and not a disease. It is broadly classified as generalized and partial. The generalized seizures impact the entire brain. A few examples of seizures are clonic, myoclonic, and tonic. Partial seizures begin in one part of the brain. They either stay at the same place or move to other parts.
The disorder has a direct impact on the nerves and related systems. Patients with the disorder, epileptics, suffer from intermittent seizures. Hence, they experience a certain level of physical discomfort or impairment during attacks. Occasional seizures are often mistaken for attacks of epilepsy.
The symptoms vary in intensity according to the individuals afflicted. Some patients experience only mild tremors in their limbs whereas others lose consciousness when seizures occur. Factors such as health history, frequency of seizures, and age prove vital in correctly diagnosing and treating the syndrome.
The causes for epilepsy vary according to each person’s lifestyle and health. The widely known reasons for epilepsy attacks are excessive drinking, lack of enough sleep, professional and personal stress, and chronic illness.
Epilepsy may not necessarily hamper a person’s professional routine if there is sufficient control of the disorder through proper and timely anti-epileptic medication. Persons working in factories or workplaces involving use of heavy equipment are provided with standard safety gear that suffices to protect epileptics.
Worldwide, physicians and researchers are essaying to discover newer panacea and diagnostic techniques for the disorder and make life easier for the patients. Various avenues such as bioengineering, sophisticated imaging and video captures, and genetic engineering are aiding the cause. Epilepsy foundations are set up in various locations to improve.
Еpilepsy information .
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the nervous system. There are many different types of epilepsy. Each epileptic syndrome is characterized by a specific set of symptoms. Epilepsy is known to be hereditary in some cases. Epilepsy is classified by symptoms or by the position in the brain where the symptoms originate. Some common types of epilepsy are absence epilepsy, psychomotor epilepsy, temporal lobe epilepsy, frontal lobe epilepsy, occipital lobe epilepsy and parietal lobe epilepsy. There are many other types of epilepsy, each with its own characteristic set of symptoms.
People suffering from absence epilepsy have repeated absence seizures that result in momentary lapses of consciousness. These seizures almost always begin in childhood or adolescence. This form of epilepsy tends to run in families, which suggests that it may be partially due to a defective gene or genes.
Psychomotor epilepsy is another term for recurrent partial seizures, especially seizures of the temporal lobe. The term psychomotor refers to the strange sensations, emotions and behavior seen with these seizures.
Temporal lobe epilepsy, or TLE, is a common epilepsy syndrome with partial seizures. TLE often begins in childhood. Research has shown that repeated TLE could cause certain brain structures to shrink over time. While it may take years of temporal lobe seizures for any significant brain damage to occur, it needs to be treated early and as effectively as possible.
Frontal lobe epilepsy usually involves a cluster of short seizures with a sudden onset and termination. The symptoms depend on where in the frontal lobe the seizures occur. Many subtypes of frontal lobe seizures are known.
Occipital lobe epilepsy usually causes visual hallucinations, rapid eye blinking or other eye-related problems. The other symptoms resemble those in the case of temporal or frontal lobe epilepsy.
Several types of epilepsy begin in infancy. The most common type of epilepsy seen in infants is infantile spasms. Some Infants suffer from seizures from as early as 6 months. During these seizures the infant may bend and cry out. Anticonvulsant drugs often do not work for infantile spasms, but the seizures can be treated with ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) or prednisone.
People should discuss the implications of their type of epilepsy with their doctors to understand the full range of symptoms, possible treatments and the prognosis.
People suffering from absence epilepsy have repeated absence seizures that result in momentary lapses of consciousness. These seizures almost always begin in childhood or adolescence. This form of epilepsy tends to run in families, which suggests that it may be partially due to a defective gene or genes.
Psychomotor epilepsy is another term for recurrent partial seizures, especially seizures of the temporal lobe. The term psychomotor refers to the strange sensations, emotions and behavior seen with these seizures.
Temporal lobe epilepsy, or TLE, is a common epilepsy syndrome with partial seizures. TLE often begins in childhood. Research has shown that repeated TLE could cause certain brain structures to shrink over time. While it may take years of temporal lobe seizures for any significant brain damage to occur, it needs to be treated early and as effectively as possible.
Frontal lobe epilepsy usually involves a cluster of short seizures with a sudden onset and termination. The symptoms depend on where in the frontal lobe the seizures occur. Many subtypes of frontal lobe seizures are known.
Occipital lobe epilepsy usually causes visual hallucinations, rapid eye blinking or other eye-related problems. The other symptoms resemble those in the case of temporal or frontal lobe epilepsy.
Several types of epilepsy begin in infancy. The most common type of epilepsy seen in infants is infantile spasms. Some Infants suffer from seizures from as early as 6 months. During these seizures the infant may bend and cry out. Anticonvulsant drugs often do not work for infantile spasms, but the seizures can be treated with ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) or prednisone.
People should discuss the implications of their type of epilepsy with their doctors to understand the full range of symptoms, possible treatments and the prognosis.
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