Epilepsy / Seizure Disorder

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes recurring, unprovoked seizures. Your doctor may diagnose you with epilepsy if you have two unprovoked seizures or one unprovoked seizure with a high risk of more, based on factors like abnormal brain imaging or an EEG showing epileptiform activity. Not all seizures are the result of epilepsy. Seizures may relate to a brain injury, a family trait, infections like meningitis, or even temporary conditions such as high fever or low blood sugar, but often the cause is completely unknown.

The word “epilepsy” simply means the same thing as “seizure disorders.” It does not state anything about the cause of the person’s seizures or their severity—epilepsy can range from mild, brief episodes to severe, life-disrupting events.

Seizures involve sudden, temporary, bursts of electrical activity in the brain that change or disrupt the way messages are sent between brain cells. These electrical bursts can cause involuntary changes in body movement or function, sensation, behavior, or awareness, and may manifest as convulsions, staring spells, or subtle symptoms like déjà vu or unusual smells.

Every brain has the potential to seize under certain conditions, such as extreme stress or sleep deprivation. A person with epilepsy has a lower seizure threshold – this means they are more likely to have seizures than people without epilepsy, often due to genetic factors or structural changes in the brain.

It is important to note the distinction between seizures and epilepsy. A seizure is an event and can be a symptom of other medical problems, like a stroke or brain tumor, while epilepsy is a chronic condition defined by the tendency for recurrent seizures. Treatment options, including medications, dietary changes like the ketogenic diet, or in some cases surgery, can help manage epilepsy, though about one-third of patients continue to experience seizures despite treatment.