Epilepsy: What it is and how it manifests - Expert explains

Following the news of the death of Antonis Samaras' daughter, Lena, at the age of 34, questions arise regarding epilepsy. The Director of the Neurological Clinic and Head of the Neurological Diseases Clinic of MITERA, Dimitris Mantellos, explains what epilepsy is and how it can manifest.

Mr. Mantellos states that epilepsy is a disease of the brain that causes repeated episodes of brain dysfunction. Epileptic seizures can manifest in various ways, such as convulsions, staring spells, loss of urine, sensory disturbances, and disorders of the senses.

According to the expert, during an epileptic seizure, the patient may lose consciousness or experience confusion, while in some cases they may remain fully alert. The duration of a seizure is usually a few seconds to two minutes.

Mr. Mantellos clarifies that epileptic seizures may occur after a stroke, head injury, meningitis, hypoglycemia, alcohol and substance abuse, etc. However, the occurrence of a seizure does not necessarily mean that the patient suffers from epilepsy.

Epilepsy is not a rare disease, as it has a prevalence of about 1% and affects people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities, concludes Mr. Mantellos.