Normal brain function requires an orderly, organized, coordinated discharge of electrical impulses. Electrical impulses enable the brain to communicate with the spinal cord, nerves, and muscles as well as within itself. When electrical impulses discharge abnormally, a seizure may occur.
About 2% of adults have a seizure at some time during their lifetime. Two thirds of these people never have another one. Most commonly, seizure disorders begin in early childhood or in late adulthood. The term "seizure disorder" is preferred to "epilepsy" because epilepsy is often incorrectly thought to include some degree of brain damage or a tendency to be violent.
USA Today Health News For Wednesday 03/10/2010
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| Hospital ship USNS Comfort sailing home from Haiti |
| Doctors treated nearly 1,000 patients onboard, starting just days after the earthquake.


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| Salmonella finding did not stop distribution, FDA says |
| The company responsible for a ballooning recall of processed foods continued to manufacture and distribute a flavor-enhancing ...


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| Salmonella finding did not stop distribution, FDA says |
| The company responsible for a ballooning recall of processed foods continued to manufacture and distribute a flavor-enhancing ...


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| Too many 'preventable' deaths among new moms, experts say |
| Pregnancy-related deaths appear to have risen nationwide over the past decade, and while they're very rare about 550 a year ...


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| Should hyper kids get ECG before getting ADHD medicine? |
| Electrocardiogram screening to check for heart problems in hyperactive children before prescribing stimulant medications may ...


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| Government to warn against baby slings after deaths |
| The U.S. government is preparing a safety warning about baby slings those popular and fashionable infant carriers that parents ...


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| Q&A: How Henrietta Lacks' cells fueled medical breakthroughs |
| The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks tells the story of a black woman whose tissue was taken without her consent, and some of ...


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| Study: People would lose 5 pounds a year if soda cost extra 18% |
| If the price of sweetened drinks increased 18% people would consume an average of 56 fewer calories a day and lose about 5 pounds ...


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| Report: Minorities more likely to suffer Alzheimer's disease |
| A new report shows African-Americans and Hispanics are particularly vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease as they age.


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| Study: Nicotine builds, doesn't spike, in brain while smoking |
| Nicotine builds up gradually in smokers' brains rather than spiking after each puff, according to a study that might help point ...


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| Supreme Court to hear case about vaccine side effects |
| The Supreme Court will decide whether drug makers can be sued by parents who claim their children suffered serious health problems ...


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| Q&A: Your health care legislation questions answered |
| Answers to some questions you may have about President Obama's attempt to pass health care legislation.


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| Americans of all races don't get enough sleep |
| All Americans are struggling to get more snooze time, but a report shows that race and cultural differences play a role in sleep-related ...


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| Researchers link inflammation to illness in overweight people |
| Obesity scientists dig deep to find the connection between body fat, white blood cells and a cascade of diseases.


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