The neurologist spoke about the causes of epilepsy

Maria Provatorova, chief freelance pediatric epileptologist of the Moscow region, neurologist, epileptologist, PhD, said that epilepsy is a diverse group of diseases with the brain's ability to generate repeated seizures.

In an interview with Radio 1 on March 28, the specialist noted that the essence of an epileptic seizure is excessive increased electrical discharges in the brain. According to her, foaming at the mouth, seizures, and loss of consciousness are just one of the manifestations of epilepsy. In fact, they are much more diverse, and everything depends on "how much the brain is captured by these pathological discharges." Seizures can occur on half of the face or manifest themselves in the form of a short freeze, blinking.

For epilepsy, a genetic predisposition plays an important role, not necessarily heredity, but only a personal mutation.

"It can also cause brain damage as a result of a variety of events — traumatic brain injury, stroke, severe infection," said the neurologist.

The doctor added that, despite its short duration, an epilepsy attack is life-threatening. As a result, brain swelling can occur, which is really dangerous. A person may also receive improper assistance.

On March 25, neurologist Polina Lepilova told Izvestia that seizures in one part of the body and a feeling of fear are symptoms of epilepsy. To diagnose epilepsy, it is necessary to consult a neurologist. It is important to describe the attack in detail, for example, from the words of eyewitnesses, or to show a video of the seizure recorded by them, as well as to tell if close relatives have this disease.