Rarely do we experience such dramatic symptoms as with certain types of seizures, and throughout history, a broad body of superstition, misunderstanding, and unfounded fear have arisen around the diagnosis. Even today, sufferers are faced with many obstacles to their daily activities which are related more to these misconceptions than to their usually well- controlled disease.
Seizures are episodes of spontaneous discharge of groups of nerve cells in the brain.
This may arise for unknown reasons, or may result from some physical or chemical injury to the brain. They area affected determines the type of seizure which occurs, but often the seizure will spread beyond the area of injury to produce a generalized seizure. Vocalizations, urinary incontinence, irregular breathing and tongue biting may occur. Usually the seizure lasts but a few seconds or minutes. Occasionally loss of muscle tone may produce falling, although the patient appears to be alert and conscious.