Epilepsy is a brain disorder wherein excited electric signals and impulses escape normal limits. People who are epileptic suffer from seizures which are basically a repetititve behavior.

A person jerking uncontrollably is what most people would think happens to epileptic individuals. Although violent convulsions is one of the symptoms of epilepsy, it is not the only symptom. Some people only experience staring spells while some even lose consciousness. Medication such as Topamax is prescribed to reduce the number of seizure episodes. Along with knowing the symptoms, it is essential that one should also learn the causes of epilepsy.

Normally, seizures are the result of an injury to the brain. However, only a few cases of epilepsy have a known cause. A temproray condition may contribute to episodes of seizures such as exposure to drugs, withdrawal from certain drugs, a high fever, or abnormal levels of sodium or glucose in the blood. However, you should realize that if an underlying cause is treated and eliminated and when seizures do not occur again, that person does not have epilepsy.

Epilepsy are mainly caused by the following:

• Traumatic brain injury

• Brain tumors

• Brain infections such as meningitis, encephalitis and neurosyphilis

• Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)

• Low oxygen during birth, pre-existing problems before birth (congenital birth defects)

• Head injuries near the time of birth, during birth or from accidents in early childhood

• Kidney or liver failure

Around 30% of epilepsy cases occur in children. The ones that are usually affected by this disorder are young children and elderly adults. Having seizures can be a troublesome event and knowing how these are triggered may be helpful in avoiding them and coping better with epilepsy. By having proper rest and diet, staying away from illegal substances and alcohol, and not missing any medication doses can significantly reduce the number of seizures.

Anticonvulsants like Topamax and Felbatol are prescribed by doctors to control seizures and treat symptoms. One can also go through Surgical procedures to prevent a high number of future epileptic episodes. There may not have been any known cure for epilepsy as of present time but taking all these into consideration might help in improving one's way of living to suit their needs.