Question
My child is experiencing shaking hands and feet; has been diagnosed with epilepsy. How should it be treated? A 16-year-old boy has had hand trembling before and now has foot trembling. He fell unconscious last Saturday without feeling anything. He has undergone a 24-hour EEG examination, confirming epilepsy.
Answer
Epilepsy is a clinical syndrome characterized by recurrent seizures caused by abnormal brain cells leading to impaired brain function. Typical symptoms of an epilepsy seizure include sudden loss of consciousness, convulsions of the limbs, and mouth or throat cries. One of the diagnostic features of epilepsy is its suddenness, meaning seizures occur without warning. Another important feature is the recurrence of seizures rather than a single occurrence. If there is any uncertainty about whether it is epilepsy, it is recommended to seek professional hospital treatment as soon as possible to avoid delays in the condition.