Chapter 14, Problem 1O

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

Pathophysiology of epilepsy.

Concept Introduction:

Epilepsy is a sort of neurological disease, which creates sensory disturbance and convulsive brain seizures. It occurs mostly in children and age-old people. Epilepsy is caused by brain trauma, infection, and some other unknown effects.

Explanation of Solution

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting the central nervous system mainly the motor system functions. Unusual momentary sensory disturbance and convulsive seizures affect the person’s motor functions like muscle actions. The motor function disturbance is due to excessive electrical activity in the cerebral cortex and gray matter in the brain. Abnormal electrical conductivity in epilepsy is visualized through the electroencephalogram (EEG) or by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). EEG shows unusual wave pattern of the brain electrical conductivity during epilepsy.

This unknown factor-induced epilepsy is said to be primary epilepsy. Apart from this some brain trauma and infections also cause epilepsy in certain individuals. Such epilepsy is said to be secondary epilepsy. Seizures during epilepsy are classified into broad categories like a partial seizure, generalized seizure, and unclassified seizures based on the muscle contraction lasting time.

Conclusion

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by convulsive seizures in brain electrical conductivity which in turn leads to abnormal muscle contraction.