EPILEPSY

A seizure represents the uncontrolled, abnormal electrical activity of the brain that may cause changes in the level of consciousness, behaviour and memory. Seizures can be classified as focal or generalized. Patients present with sudden alteration in consciousness and associated motor movements like stiffening or tonic phase followed by clonic movements – rhythmic phased motor movements. Urinary incontinence and tongue bite may or may not be present. Following a seizure, patients will have some transient alteration of consciousness referred to as the postictal state. Seizures may be either provoked or unprovoked. Provoked seizures, also known as acute symptomatic seizures, may result from electrolyte disorders, toxins, head injury, infectious processes, vascular anomalies, tumors or other mass lesions, and many other causes. Prompt evaluation and management of seizure by competent neurologist improves outcome of the patients with this condition.