Most people with epilepsy are otherwise healthy; as long as it is controlled like most other diseases.  A seizure is a physical manifestation of paroxysmal and abnormal electrical firing of neurons in the brain.  Think of it as numerous voltage (hyperexcitability of neurons) going throughout the brain meaning brain waves going in all directions with the brain saying its too much activity causing the brain to go into a seizure.

When the seizure occurs there is a decrease in oxygen since the brain isn’t capable to send messages during the seizure.  If the seizure continues to repeat one right after another the person is in status epilepticus and if the seizures doesn’t stop the person can lead to a neuronal death;  like John Travolta’s son who died of this.

The term seizure disorder may refer to any number of conditions that result in such a paroxysmal electrical discharge.  These conditons could be metabolic or structural in nature.   Epilepsy is the term for those who have a second seizure that occurs spontaneously and without preceding metabolic or structural cause for the occurrence.  Epilepsy is a chronic disorder that requires antiepileptic drug therapy; usually thorough out life.

Etiology of Epilepsy is generally a sign of underlying pathology involving the brain.  It may be the first sign of nervous system disease (ex. Brain tumor), or it may be a sign of a systemic or metabolic derangement.

Metabolic and Systemic Causes of Seizures:

a.) Electrolyte Imbalance=Acidosis, heavy metal poisoning, Hypocalcemia, Hypocapnea, Hypoglycemia, Hypoxia, Sodium-Potassium imbalance, Systemic  diseases (liver, renal failure, etc…) Toxemia of pregnancy, and water intoxication.

b.) Infections like meningitis, encephalitis, brain abcess.

c.) Withdrawal of sedative-hypnotic drugs=Alcohol, Antiepileptic drugs, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines.

d.) Iatrogenic drug overdose=Theopylline, Penicillin.

Other causes of epilepsy can be Trauma, Heredity.

Structural causes of epilepsy:

Head trauma/Degenerative Disease like Alzheimer’s or Creutfeldz-Jacob or Huntington’s Chorea or Multiple Sclerosis or Pick’s Disease. There is also tumors or genetic disease or Stroke or Infections or Febrile seizures.

Types of seizures

I-Partial seizures (seizures beginning local)

1-simple partial seizures-(the person is conscious and not impaired).  With motor symptoms, autonomic symptoms and even psychic symptoms.

2.)-Complex partial seizures-(the person is with impairment of consciousness)

II-Generalized seizures-(bilaterally symmetrical and without local onset).

3.) Tonic clonic seizures – Grand Mal

“Genital warts are one of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections. Nearly all sexually active people will become infected with at least one type of human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes genital warts, at some point during their lives. Women are somewhat more likely than men to develop genital warts.

As the name suggests, genital warts affect the moist tissues of the genital area. Genital warts may look like small, flesh-colored bumps or have a cauliflower-like appearance. In many cases, the warts are too small to be visible.”

“How many people use alcohol in the United States? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that according to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the prevalence of drinking in the United States was 86 percent of people ages 18 or older reported that they drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime; 70 percent reported that they drank in the past year; and 56 percent reported that they drank in the past month. Based on these numbers it is safe to say the overall use of alcohol across the country is very high. Since such a great number of us have reported that we engage in the use and consumption of alcohol it should be our duty to get involved.

How about the numbers related to Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States? According to the same study, 15.1 million adults ages 18 and older had AUD (9.8 million of which were men and 5.3 million were women). Only about 1.3 million adults received treatment for AUD at a specialized facility in 2015 (898,000 of which were men and 417,000 were women) – only 1.3 million of the 15.1 million?? This means only about 8.3% of adults with AUD sought treatment. These numbers alone highlight the need for awareness.”

Quit Alcohol (quitalcohol.com)

”Too much alcohol is dangerous. Heavy drinking can increase the risk of certain cancers. It can cause damage to the liver, brain, and other organs. Drinking during pregnancy can harm your baby. Alcohol also increases the risk of death from car crashes, injuries, homicide, and suicide.

Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior.”

An American Addiction Center Resource (www.alcohol.org)

“Public Health Week April 1-7, Sunday is 1.) World Health Day & 2.) Alcohol Screening Day!” Wellness Council of America (welcoa.org)

“Tips for better health, starts with eating for Better Health. Being overweight or obese raises your risk for health problems, including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and certain types of cancer. ”

John Hopkins Medicine (www.hopkinsmedicine.org)

“People with ASD also have a higher than average risk of having epilepsy. Children whose language skills regress early in life — before age 3 — appear to have a risk of developing epilepsy or seizure-like brain activity. About 20 to 30 percent of children with ASD develop epilepsy by the time they reach adulthood. Additionally, people with both ASD and intellectual disability have the greatest risk of developing seizure disorder. For many children, symptoms improve with age and behavioral treatment. ”

NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

“Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States today.

We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.”

Autism Speaks (wwwautismspeaks.org)

“Upon being diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and shortly before his death on Feb. 27, 2015, actor Leonard Nimoy tweeted, “Not soon enough.” He was referring to his decision to quit smoking. Nimoy, made famous by playing Spock in Star Trek, had quit 30 years before, but the damage to his lungs had already been done. Nimoy told music artist Pharrell Williams last year in an interview, “I flunked chemistry in high school.” So, perhaps the elder movie star didn’t fully grasp the long-term harmful effects of smoking in his younger days. He spent the final year of his life urging people to benefit from his mistakes and stop smoking now, before it’s too late. The internationally beloved actor was 82 years old.”

Lung Institute

“Knock knock, who’s there? National Humor Month! This holiday was founded in 1976 by the author and humorist Larry Wilde, who wanted to spread awareness of the therapeutic value of laughter. Laughter relaxes muscles, increases blood flow, and reduces stress levels (National Today found in a survey that an overwhelming 95% of Americans say laughter is a stress reliever). The silly celebration kicks off with April Fool’s Day on the first, and carries on through with gaffs, goofs, and giggles aplenty throughout the month.”

National Today (nationaltoday.com)

“Recent zoonoses of concern include Avian Influenza, Lyme Disease, Rabies, and West Nile Virus.  Illnesses which result from food contamination with E. coli 0157:H7 and Salmonella may also fit into this category. Attention to these zoonotic diseases has prompted more widespread appreciation of the need for ongoing, effective surveillance of animal diseases and communication between the veterinary, medical and public health communities. ”

Cornell Cooperative Extension (NY EDEN Extension Disaster Education Network).