Epilepsy

"Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder caused by various factors, characterized by recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical rhythms in the brain. Epileptic seizures can present in multiple forms, including motor seizures, sensory seizures, autonomic symptoms (involving internal organs), as well as consciousness disorders, hallucinations, and other psychiatric symptoms. The key characteristics of epilepsy include 1) sudden or episodic onset, 2) involuntary seizures, 3) abnormal brain rhythms, and 4) recurrence.Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting approximately 0.4% of the population. About 80% of cases occur in individuals under 20, with a high incidence in children under 5. However, epilepsy is common enough that it also occurs frequently in adulthood and old age, with a slightly higher incidence in adult males. Regarding genetic factors, about 3% of relatives of epilepsy patients also have epilepsy, though the degree and nature of genetic involvement are still not fully understood. Causes of epilepsy include genetic factors, perinatal complications, inflammation, tumors, and trauma, which may individually or collectively cause neurophysiological, biochemical, or pathological changes in the brain’s gray matter.Traditional Korean medicine aims to normalize body metabolism to help alleviate these symptoms."