icans suffer from such seizures. Epilepsy can affect almost anyone at any age. Onset of seizures can occur in toddlers as young as one year old.
The exact cause of epilepsy has baffled researchers for centuries. Some cases have been attributed to scars or lesions in the brain, head trauma, lack of oxygen to the brain, strokes, errors in development prior to birth, sensitivity to light or long-term alcohol or drug abuse. Recent research has even uncovered evidence that video games can lead to epileptic seizures in people who have not had any seizures but who are inclined to have them: "Some of the patients may have a rare disorder called reflex epilepsy, in which an unusual stimulus such as a video game or a voice may set off a seizure."
For decades, drugs have been the primary form of treatment for the epileptic patient in the control of seizures. The major drugs are Dilantin, Tegretol, and Phenobarbital. These drugs are not without their side effects. Dilantin is known to increase body and facial hair growth and the growth of gum tissue. Tegretol can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and balance problems at high dosages. Phenobarbital can cause drowsiness and aggravate hyperactivity.
Only about half of epileptic patients have
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