Definition of Epilepsy
1. Noun. A disorder of the central nervous system characterized by loss of consciousness and convulsions.
Terms within: Epileptic SeizureGeneric synonyms: Brain Disease,
Brain Disorder,
EncephalopathySpecialized synonyms: Akinetic Epilepsy,
Cortical Epilepsy,
Focal Epilepsy,
Epilepsia Major,
Generalized Epilepsy,
Grand Mal,
Grand Mal Epilepsy,
Lafora's Disease,
Myoclonus Epilepsy,
Epilepsia Minor,
Petit Mal,
Petit Mal Epilepsy,
Posttraumatic Epilepsy,
Traumatic Epilepsy,
Procursive Epilepsy,
Psychomotor Epilepsy,
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy,
Reflex Epilepsy,
Status Epilepticus,
Tonic EpilepsyDerivative terms: Epileptic Definition of Epilepsy
1. n. The "falling sickness," so called because the patient falls suddenly to the ground; a disease characterized by paroxysms (or fits) occurring at interval and attended by sudden loss of consciousness, and convulsive motions of the muscles.
Definition of Epilepsy
1. Noun. (pathology) A medical condition in which the sufferer experiences seizures (or convulsions) and blackouts. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Epilepsy
1. a disorder of the nervous system [n -SIES]
Medical Definition of Epilepsy
1.
The paroxysmal transient disturbances of brain function that may be manifested as episodic impairment or loss of consciousness, abnormal motor phenomena, psychic or sensory disturbances or perturbation of the autonomic nervous system.
Symptoms are due to paroxysmal disturbance of the electrical activity of the brain. On the basis of origin, epilepsy is idiopathic (cryptogenic, essential, genetic) or symptomatic (acquired, organic). On the basis of clinical and electroencephalographic phenomenon, four subdivisions are recognised:
1. Grand mal epilepsy (major epilepsy, haut mal epilepsy) subgroups: generalised, focal (localised), jacksonian (rolandic)
2. Petit mal epilepsy
3. Psychomotor epilepsy (temporal lobe epilepsy, psychic, psychic equivalent or variant) subgroups: psychomotor proper (tonic with adversive or torsion movements or masticatory phenomena), automatic (with amnesia) and sensory (hallucinations or dream states or d‚j. Vu)
4. Autonomic epilepsy (diencephalic), with flushing, pallor, tachycardia, hypertension, perspiration or other visceral symptoms.
Synonym: epilepsia.
Origin: Gr. Epilepsia = seizure
(14 May 1997)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Epilepsy
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