DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Will you please help make people aware of epilepsy, which some of us have? I know that when you go to a library to get information on it, there is very little. The only place I know where a person can get information is from the Internet. Some people don’t have access to a computer. Let the public know what is available, and don’t let the work of doctors go down the drain. — C.R.

ANSWEER: Seizures are the hallmark of epilepsy. A seizure occurs when a sudden discharge of electricity from brain cells sweeps over the brain. The discharge causes involuntary movements, altered consciousness or both. Many people have an erroneous idea that epilepsy is a childhood disease. It can happen at any age, and a great deal of cases are seen in older people.

The causes of epilepsy are many: brain tumors, head trauma, the aftermath of strokes and genes. However, in a sizable number of people, a cause isn’t found.

Seizures have different manifestations. When the electrical discharge involves both sides of the brain, a generalized seizure results. One kind of generalized seizure, once called “grand mal seizure,” makes the person lapse into unconsciousness and fall to the ground with the arms and legs contracting and relaxing. Generally the spell is brief and the person wakens, somewhat dazed. Another sort of generalized seizure is quite different and mostly seen in children. It was called “petit mal seizure,” and is now called an absence seizure. The child has a blank look, doesn’t fall and isn’t unconscious, but doesn’t respond to commands. Onlookers think the child is daydreaming. These seizures are brief, but they can be quite repetitive. Because they’re so repetitive, they interfere with a child’s learning.

Seizures confined to one side of the brain are called focal seizures. They cause jerking of an arm or leg on the side of the body opposite to the side of brain involvement.

Medicines have changed the outlook for epilepsy patients. Most people function well in almost every occupation available. Few restrictions are placed on them. They raise families and participate in just about all aspects of life.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Will you be so kind as to tell me your view on EDTA chelation therapy? It is supposed to unblock arteries. — J.S.

ANSWER: Chelation (key-LAY-shun) therapy involves using a chelator, like EDTA, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, to grab hold of calcium that’s partaking in the clogging of arteries and thereby open up those arteries for a full supply of blood to the target organ, usually the heart. The EDTA-calcium mix is eliminated in the urine. Some are avid chelation fans. I am not one of them. The amount of truly scientific information on the benefit of this process is not great.

The National Institutes of Health are conducting a large study to determine chelation’s place in the treatment of hardened arteries and the prevention of heart attacks. The study results will be published this year. I personally would not submit to this treatment until the results of that study have been made available.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I take Sinemet for Parkinson’s disease. One doctor says I don’t have it. If I don’t take the medicine, my jaw twitches when I am in bed. Once I didn’t take it for six days and wound up in the ER because I was shaking all over, had poor coordination and heard voices. I think my mistake was I didn’t wean myself off gradually. What is your opinion? — W.M.

ANSWER: An abrupt discontinuation of the Parkinson’s medicine Sinemet or an abrupt lowering of its dose can cause a severe relapse of Parkinson’s symptoms, including those you had.

The medicine has to be adjusted gradually. The doctor is the one who must set the rules for how the drug is lowered.

You’re right in identifying the mistake you made.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.