What are the symptoms?
A number of factors are responsible for the disorder in the brain that can lead to epilepsy. For the majority of the seizures, the exact cause of the damage is unknown. Among known causes, the most common are brain tumour, stroke, head injury, infection, systemic illness or poisoning due to substance abuse.

There are different types of seizures falling into two groups, either "partial" or "generalized". If the excessive electrical discharge is restricted to a given area in the brain, the seizure is termed partial. If the entire brain is involved, the seizure is generalized. A person with epilepsy may experience one type of seizure only, or several different types.

Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is determined through a detailed medical history, an examination of the nervous system, an analysis of blood and other body fluids, an electroencephalographic exam (EEG), and may include imaging studies (MRI and/or CT scans).

Treating Epilepsy
Epilepsy medication, known as anticonvulsant drugs, may be prescribed alone or in combination. Whenever possible, physicians use monotherapy, the use of a single drug, to control seizures. However, if a person has more then one kind of seizure, he or she may have to take more than one type of drug to gain control.

The newer, anticonvulsant drugs are generally safe, but side effects can occur. The degree of severity depends on the type of medication, the dosage, and the individual response of the patient to the medication. Minor side effects are common at the start of drug therapy, but an allergic reaction in the form of a rash is a severe adverse condition that necessitates an immediate change to another medication. Some anticonvulsant medicines and birth control pills may interact in a way that makes both less effective. Women taking epilepsy medicine who are considering birth control pills should consult their physicians. By providing ongoing care, family physicians can assure patients with epilepsy that side effects are being monitored. Determining the correct dosage and best medication for a patient's needs can be a difficult part of drug therapy, and drug requirements may change over the years. The right medication can greatly improve a patient's ability to lead a full and active life.