What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. A seizure is a sudden rush of abnormal electrical activity in your brain. Doctors diagnose epilepsy when you have two or more seizures with no other identifiable cause.

The two main types of seizures are:

• Generalized seizures
• Focal seizures

Generalized seizures affect your whole brain. Focal, or partial seizures, affect only one part of your brain.

A mild seizure may be difficult to recognize. It may only last a few seconds, and you may remain awake while it happens. Stronger seizures can cause spasms and uncontrollable muscle twitches. They can last from a few seconds to several minutes and may cause confusion or loss of consciousness. Afterward, you may have no memory of a seizure happening.

There’s currently no cure for epilepsy, but it can be managed with medications and other strategies.

What causes epilepsy?

In about half of people with epilepsyTrusted Source, the cause cannot be determined, per the WHO. A variety of factors can contribute to the development of seizures, such as:

• traumatic brain injury or other head trauma
• brain scarring after a brain injury (post-traumatic epilepsy)
• serious illness or very high fever
• stroke, which causes about halfTrusted Source of epilepsy cases in older adults when there’s no identifiable cause, according to the CDC
• lack of oxygen to the brain
• brain tumor or cyst
• dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease
• maternal use of some drugs, prenatal injury, brain malformation, or lack of oxygen at birth
• infectious conditions like HIV and AIDS and meningitis
• genetic or developmental disorders or neurological diseases

Epilepsy can develop at any age, but diagnosis usually occurs in early childhood or after 60 years oldTrusted Source.

How is epilepsy diagnosed?

If you suspect you’ve had a seizure, see a doctor as soon as possible. A seizure can be a symptom of a serious medical issue.

Your medical history and symptoms will help your doctor decide which tests will be helpful. They’ll likely give you a neurological examination to test your motor abilities and mental functioning.

To diagnose epilepsy, other conditions that cause seizures should be ruled out. A doctor will probably order a complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry of your blood.

Blood tests may be used to look for:

• signs of infectious diseases
• liver and kidney function
• blood glucose levels

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is the most common test used to diagnose epilepsy. It’s a noninvasive and painless test that involves placing electrodes on your scalp to search for abnormal patterns in your brain’s electrical activity. You may be asked to perform a specific task during the test. In some cases, the test is performed while you sleep.

Imaging tests can reveal tumors and other abnormalities that can cause seizures. These tests might include:

• CT scan
• MRI
• positron emission tomography (PET)
• single-photon emission computerized tomography

Epilepsy is usually diagnosed if you have seizures, but there’s no apparent or reversible cause.

How is epilepsy treated?

Treatment for epilepsy may help you have fewer seizures or stop seizures completely.

Your treatment plan will be based on:

• the severity of your symptoms
• your health
• how well you respond to therapy

Some treatment options include:

• Anti-epileptic (anticonvulsant, antiseizure) drugs. Anti-epileptic medications can help reduce the number of seizures you have. In some people, they may eliminate seizures. To be most effective, the medication must be taken exactly as your doctor prescribed.
• Vagus nerve stimulator. This device is surgically placed under the skin on your chest and electrically stimulates the nerve that runs through your neck to prevent seizures.
• Ketogenic diet. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, more than half of children who do not respond to medications benefit from the ketogenic diet, which is a high fat and low carbohydrate diet.
• Brain surgery. The area of the brain that causes seizure activity can be removed or altered if you and your healthcare team determine it’s the right treatment for your condition.