Epilepsy is a chronic neuro-psychiatric illness characterized by recurrent seizures resulting from excessive electrical activity of neurons in the brain and is accompanied by a variety of symptoms.

Diagnosis of epilepsy is made only if a person had at least two attacks and if it is proved the absence of any other diseases that cause seizures. Epilepsy is not contagious and is not a mental illness.

The most common causes of epilepsy are:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Stroke
• Brain Tumors
• Deficiency of oxygen and blood supply at birth
• Violations of the brain structure (malformations)
• Meningitis, viral and parasitic diseases, brain abscess
• Hereditary factors

With proper treatment 80% of people with epilepsy live without the appearance of seizures and without limitation of activity in almost all spheres of life. Many people with epilepsy should take antiepileptic drugs as Lamotrigine for all their life to prevent the development of seizures. There is a wide range of drugs (Finlepsin with carbamazepine, Depakin with valporic acid, Topamax with topiramate, etc.).

In some cases, the healthcare provider may recommend to discontinue the medication if the seizures do not occur in the patient for several years.

If the drug treatment does not allow to control the seizures, a patient may be proposed to remove the damaged part of the brain surgically.

Patients with epilepsy are recommended to avoid alcohol, smoking, strong coffee and tea, overeating, night's sleep interruption, hypothermia and heat, as well as other adverse environmental impacts. Dairy-vegetable diet, outdoor activities, mild exercise are also beneficial to people with epilepsy.