Abstract

EPILEPSY – A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Rashmi Anupozu* and Dr. Rama Bobba

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders that is associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It is affecting about 50 million individuals worldwide and 80% of these people live in low and middle-income countries with limited resources. Epilepsy can start at any age, but more cases are observed in younger children and older adults. It occurs slightly more in men than in women. Genetic factors, head trauma, infections in brain, stroke, tumor can cause epilepsy. Many patients with epilepsy may suffer severe psychological and socio-economic conditions that may negatively impact their quality of life. Brain generates seizures through different mechanisms and seizures are classified into many types. Different types of diagnostic procedures are used to identify and classify the seizure type along with its site of origin. Drugs that are given for treatment of epilepsy are known as anti-epileptic drugs. The main objective of this review is to provide the updated epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, diagnostic procedures, newer classification and treatments for epilepsy.

Keywords: Epilepsy, epidemiology, seizure, anti-epileptic drugs, classification.