Epilepsy is a disorder of the nervous system. Although at one time this condition was considered relatively little known it is actually quite common and affects approximately one out of every one-hundred people. Before modern day technology lifted the veil that surrounded epilepsy, people who suffered from the disorder were thought to be insane or even possessed by demons. These assumptions came about by seeing people in the conditions that can be produced by an epileptic seizure such as jerking movements and unconsciousness. Even in today's enlightened society many people still tend to shy away from those with epilepsy treating them with indifference simply because they do not understand the condition or how to deal with it. Many people may see epileptics as being unable to care for themselves because the seizures may come on at any time but these episodes can be controlled through medication, environment and behavior. In some states an epileptic cannot get a driver's license unless they present a physician's statement declaring that they have been seizure free for at least one year.

A seizure can occur spontaneously or be triggered by visual stimuli, loud noises, lack of sleep or stress among other factors. A seizure is accompanied by a discharge of nerve impulses. One possible cause may be a lesion in a certain area of the brain. Seizures may occur at any age but are more apt to occur during childhood or the teenage years. There may be no indication that a person will suffer from epileptic seizures. Although there is a greater chance of experiencing epilepsy if a parent has it, the disorder occurs just as frequently in persons where there is no family history of it.

In seventy percent of epileptic patients, the cause is unknown. Possible causes may include birth defects or injuries to the head or spine. Seizures are usually proceeded by a type of warning sign known as an aura. This aura can be a tingling sensation, numbness, palpatations, jerkiness in one or more limbs and in some cases an odd odor or feeling. There are different types of seizures characterized by different symptoms. In the grand mal seizure the patient may lose consciousness and the limbs may become stiff. There is a jerking of the arms and legs and loss of bladder and bowel control may occur. This usually only lasts for a couple of minutes but the headache and confusion that can follow may last for hours. There is also an excessive feeling of tiredness that may result in an extended period of sleep.

Petit mal seizures can give the impression that one is daydreaming since the patient may stare off into space. The individual will sometimes forget what they were doing all together. This type of seizure may also be accompanied by slight twitching movements. The seizure usually only lasts a few seconds to a minute. It may occur several times a day or only once in a while. Many children who have been thought to have behavioral problems have later been diagnosed with epilepsy. Although the grand and petit mal seizures are the most widely discussed type of seizures it is worth mentioning the focal seizure. In this type of seizure the jerking or twitching is focused on one side of the body. The patient does not normally lose consciousness and remains completely aware.

Epilepsy has been treated with the drugs Phenobarbitol and Dilantin for many years which have been effective in keeping seizures under control. The frequency of seizures can be lessened by making sure that the individual gets proper rest and relaxation. Epileptics may require more sleep than the average person. Seizures sometimes occur when a person is nervous or under a great deal of stress. Epilepsy is still a bit of a mystery since there is usually no definitive cause other than those factors mentioned earlier that may play a role in the condition. The cause remains unknown in the majority of those who suffer from it. In many cases, epilepsy disappears as suddenly and mysteriously as it began. There are those who suffered seizures for several years almost on a daily basis who suddenly and inexplicably stopped having them. I am one of those people.

At the age of seventeen I began to have grand mal seizures that continued daily for several years. The frequency of the seizures would range from one to three a day. Even though I was on medication to control them, the seizures still occurred. I began to notice that they occurred more frequently when I was tired, lacking sleep, nervous or concentrating intently on something. When I began getting more rest and learning to relax the seizures became less frequent. Although, the condition came on without warning and stopped just as abruptly does not mean that it cannot occur again at any time. Once someone has been diagnosed with epilepsy they should always be aware that the seizures can begin again even if the have stopped for a period of time. But this is not to say that epileptics should give in to that fear. A person who has been diagnosed with epilepsy can be fully self-sufficient and independent. Epileptics can and do live normal, healthy lives.

Darlene Zagata is a freelance writer and columnist for the print publication Moon Shadows Magazine. She is the author of "Aftertaste: A Collection of Poems" and "The Choosing." Her work has been published extensively both online and in print. Contact Darlene at darzagata@yahoo.com