Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal and usually causes seizures. These crises begin without warning and are different for each person. Anyone can have epilepsy, regardless of race, gender or age. Epilepsy causes many symptoms. Because epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in the brain, seizures can affect any process coordinated by the brain. Symptoms of seizures may include temporary confusion, staring, uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs, loss of consciousness or awareness, and psychological symptoms such as fear, anxiety, or deja vu. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure. In most cases, a person with epilepsy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar each time. These seizures are classified as focal or generalized. It is based on how abnormal brain activity begins. Focal seizures result from abnormal activity in just one area of ​​the brain. Focal seizures are divided into two categories: focal seizures without loss of consciousness and focal seizures with impaired consciousness. Focal seizures without loss of consciousness can change the person's emotions or the way things look, smell, taste, or sound. This type of seizure can also cause spasms in the arms and legs. Doctors perform numerous tests to decide what type of epilepsy you may have. These tests include a neurological exam and a blood test. A neurological exam is used to test behavior, motor skills, and mental function to diagnose the condition and determine the type of epilepsy. Blood samples are taken to check for signs of infections, genetic conditions, or other conditions that may be associated with seizures. Other tests are used to detect brain abnormalities. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is the most common test used to diagnose epilepsy. In this test, doctors attach electrodes to the scalp with a pasty substance. The electrodes record the electrical activity of the brain. Other tests to diagnose this disorder include a high-density EEG, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Neuropsychological tests are performed when doctors evaluate your thinking, memory, and language skills. There are also tests to find where seizures begin in the brain. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) compares areas of the brain that have increased metabolism during seizures with normal brains, which can give doctors an idea of ​​where seizures begin. Treatment for this disorder includes medications and possibly surgery. If medications don't work, doctors may suggest surgery or another type of treatment. Most people with epilepsy can become seizure-free with anticonvulsant drugs, also called antiepileptic drugs. Others may be able to reduce the intensity of their seizures by taking a combination of medications. Although there are symptoms that may occur with the medicine that include fatigue, dizziness, weight gain, loss of bone density, skin rashes, loss of coordination, speech problems, and memory and thinking problems. More serious side effects include depression, suicidal thoughts and behavior, severe skin rashes, and inflammation of some organs, such as the liver. Although these side effects are very rare. When medications fail, the.