Epilepsy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable disease of the brain that affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. It is characterized by recurrent seizures, which are brief episodes of involuntary movement or loss of consciousness caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. Seizures can vary in severity and duration, ranging from brief, non-convulsive episodes to prolonged, life-threatening convulsions.

Epilepsy is not contagious, and its causes can be divided into structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune, and unknown categories. Some common causes include brain damage from prenatal or perinatal causes, congenital abnormalities or genetic conditions, head injuries, strokes, infections of the brain, certain genetic syndromes, and brain tumors. In many cases, the cause of epilepsy remains unknown.

Treatment for epilepsy typically involves the use of antiseizure medications, which can effectively control seizures in up to 70% of cases. Discontinuing antiseizure medication can be considered after a seizure-free period of 2 years, but the decision should be based on individual factors and the presence of an underlying cause. In low-income countries, access to treatment can be limited, leading to a treatment gap, with many people with epilepsy not receiving the care they need.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has piloted initiatives to diagnose and treat epilepsy at the primary healthcare level, focusing on the use of WHO-approved antiseizure medicines and training for healthcare workers. However, access to treatment remains a significant challenge in many parts of the world.

Epilepsy is a condition that has been recognized and documented for millennia, with written records dating back to 4000 BCE. Despite its long history, fear, misunderstanding, discrimination, and social stigma surrounding the condition continue to impact the quality of life for those living with epilepsy.