Final answer:
An anticonvulsant like diazepam is used to control tonic-clonic seizures in patients with epilepsy. Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures and can often be managed with medication. In severe cases, brain surgery might be necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
The anticonvulsant used to control tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures is commonly diazepam. These are medications such as diazepam that may be administered to manage seizures, improving long-term prognosis and reducing the risk of brain damage. This is typically not self-administered as its use is for patients who are actively seizing.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. There are several types of epilepsy, which can be triggered by various factors such as infection, brain injury, or tumors. However, in many cases, the exact cause of epilepsy is unknown, possibly due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Appropriate treatment with anticonvulsants helps in controlling seizures in patients with epilepsy. While some severe cases might require brain surgery to remove the area where seizures originate, anticonvulsant medications are often effective in seizure control.