Epilepsy and driving can sometimes be a dangerous mix. For many, driving is not just a convenience; driving can mean freedom, independence, and economic self sufficiency. While many people with epilepsy are able to drive, it is important to keep in mind some statistics. Between 5-10% of Americans crash a car each year. For people with epilepsy, that number goes up considerably, about 30-50% higher. Although that may sound alarming, the 50% increase is still much lower than those who choose to drink and drive, young male drivers, and even elderly drivers.

Mothers of children with epilepsy came together to found CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy) in 1998. This non-profit organization is dedicated to finding a cure for epilepsy. The parents who started this organization were frustrated with their children having seizures and the many side effects of medication.

What children with epilepsy go through can be very dramatic. Many have other health problems stemming from the epilepsy. Some children's brains are so damaged that they can no longer talk, no longer walk, and many regress from where they were developmentally when the seizures began. It is not always practical for children with siblings who have epilepsy to play with them.

Partial seizures are an electrical discharge in a specific, localized area of the brain. There are different types of partial seizures, with each seizure having a different outcome. This is due to the fact that different parts of the brain control different functions. The cortex, also known as the thinking part of the brain, is divided into four lobes: the frontal lobe, the temporal lobe, the parietal lobe, and the occipital lobe. Other, deeper structures in the brain are associated with life support functions, movement, and other semi automatic behaviors.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome can occur when a patient has a severe reaction to Phenobarbital. The importance of understanding the damage that some drugs can do to a person is paramount. Julie Farrell understands the seriousness probably as good as anyone. When Julie was only 10 months old she had her first grand mal seizure. She was diagnosed with pediatric epilepsy by her pediatrician after having another seizure. The pediatrician gave her mother Phenobarbital to stop the seizures, telling her that there were no other options and that it was safe. The pediatrician said the only side e

Seizure is a general term which means too many brain cells become excited simultaneously. According to Dr. Robert S. Fisher, there are so many types of seizures that neurologists are still trying to classify them. There are two main types, generalized seizures and partial seizures. The difference between them is in how they begin. In a generalized seizure there is a widespread electrical discharge which involves both sides of the brain. Partial seizures begin with the seizure taking place in one limited area of the brain.

There is a new epilepsy center at the Trinity Mother Frances Hospital which is specially focused on those with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a chronic seizure disorder that affects over 50 million people worldwide. A person can have a seizure without being epileptic, but if a person has more than one seizure they are considered epileptic. There are different reasons that a seizure can happen in a non-epileptic person, such as: brain injury, stroke, low blood sugar, brain tumor, and even an injury at the time of birth, such as not enough oxygen.

Teaching children about epilepsy is very important, especially if a parent or close relative suffers from the disorder. It is a good idea to teach the child or children what epilepsy is, on a level that they can understand. If a child were to experience a parent having a seizure without knowing what was happening, it could be downright terrifying for that child to see mom or dad convulsing and not know what was going on.

Winter has its place: there’s skiing, sledding, and snowball fights. All fun stuff. But spring and summer mean hiking, fishing, boating and camping for our family and as the snow melts and the weather warms up, we find we can't wait to get going. Robins in the yard means it’s time to start putting away the winter gear and breaking out the warm-weather goodies.

VNS Therapy for epilepsy can be a beneficial alternative to medication. VNS is an acronym for Vagus Nerve Stimulation. Epilepsy has no known cause and can start in a person at any age. Up to 35% of people experience what is known as uncontrolled epilepsy, in which no medications are effective. Some people who do respond to medication have side effects such as extreme tiredness, which can be detrimental to work, school, and life in general.