what is epilepsy? Can it catch old people? what are the causes of epilepsy?

Answer 1

Epilepsy (sometimes referred to as a seizure disorder) is a common chronic neurological condition that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked epileptic seizures. It affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. It is usually controlled, but not cured, with medication – although surgery may be considered in difficult cases.

The cause of an individual's epilepsy can be divided into two categories: symptomatic and idiopathic. Symptomatic epilepsies originate due to some structural or metabolic abnormality in the brain. This may be the result of:

genetic conditions such as tuberous sclerosis and ring chromosome 20 syndrome
complications during pregnancy or birth
stroke
head injury
neurosurgical operations
bacterial or viral encephalitis
parasitical infection
alcohol

The term cryptogenic is used to describe epilepsy where the cause is suspected to be symptomatic but the underlying illness or damage has not been identified.

The term idiopathic means "a disorder unto itself", and not "cause unknown". No other condition has been implicated as the cause of the epilepsy. Idiopathic epilepsies are often but not exclusively genetic and generalised - for example Juvenile Absence Epilepsy.

The most common ages of incidence are under the age of 18 and over the age of 65. It has been estimated that about 1% of the population meets the diagnostic criteria for epilepsy at any given time, but some theorize that the prevalence may be much higher in fact.

http://www.aesnet.org

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/epilepsy.html

Answer 2

Epilepsy happens when there are abnormal dishcarge of electrons in the neurotransmitters. It is precipitated by low oxygen levels leading to seizures (involuntary contractions of a group of muscles). It is not contagious, don't worry:)

Epilepsy can be passed down the genes or as a side effect to some specific drugs. Moreover, cerebral trauma and intoxication are also associated with epilepsy.

Answer 3

it is a neurological disorder which causes seizures, there are three main types of seizure disorders I couldn't tell you exactly what causes it but it can happen to a person at any age