How to Spot a Seizure Disorder

There really is nothing quite as scary as a seizure. I once saw a family member have one during an outdoor picnic family reunion and it made my heart skip a beat. But one seizure does not necessarily mean a seizure disorder. How can you tell when someone has a seizure disorder and not a single episode, a symptom of some other condition? Telling the difference between a single seizure episode and a seizure disorder is very important when it comes to your health and the health of those you care about around you.

The official or medical term for a seizure disorder is epilepsy. As many as one out of every one hundred Americans have had an unprovoked seizure at some point or have been diagnosed with the seizure disorder known as epilepsy. This seizure disorder is due to a chronic condition in the brain. The nerve cells in the brain called neurons are the brain's roadways to itself and the rest of the body. With people with a seizure disorder, the neurons "fire" incorrectly, causing abnormal brain activity. This isn't always manifested in a seizure - it can lead to other emotional and neural activities, mood swings, behaviors, muscle spasms or even loss of consciousness.

The seizure disorder epilepsy is not contagious, nor a sign of other illnesses - it is a chronic condition on its own. There exists no known cure. However, many people are able to take certain medications to prevent frequent or regular episodes of seizures - up to 80 percent of those afflicted with seizure disorder have completely order lives as a result. In fact, throughout history, many famous and notable people such as Napoleon and Socrates are believed to have had epilepsy.

In addition to the ability to control the seizure disorder with medication, there is a surprisingly high rate of cases wherein those with epilepsy actually just goes away. This happens in a variety of cases, but it tends to happen to those that have responded well to medication and to younger people.

Bouts of seizure are frightening. There is no question about that. Luckily, if you or someone you know has a seizure disorder, rest assured that there exists medication and therapy to help those afflicted have a happy and productive life. As for my aunt, she hasn't had a seizure since and has two new children! Living with seizure disorder doesn't have to be a burden.