Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disease in the world. Someone with epilepsy experiences surges of electrical activity in the brain that cause recurring seizures. While not all seizures are a result of epilepsy, recurring and unprovoked seizures are considered symptoms of an epilepsy disease or seizure disease. 

Once categorized as a disorder, epilepsy is now considered a disease because of its long-lasting effects. In this article, Ability Central examines the different types of epilepsy, as well as potential causes and treatments of the disease. We answer questions like:

• What is epilepsy? 
• What is a seizure? 
• What are the most common epilepsy symptoms?
• What causes epilepsy? 
• How is epilepsy treated? 
• How does epilepsy affect communication?
• Where can I get more information about epilepsy? 

What is epilepsy? 

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, epilepsy is a brain disease linked to recurring, unprovoked seizures. In this context, “unprovoked” means that the seizures have no identifiable outside cause, like drug abuse, a brain tumor, or dangerously low blood pressure (hypoglycemia). 

Specialists like neurologists work to diagnose and treat epilepsy, which can be categorized into different types. Treatment depends on the type of epilepsy and may include medication, surgery, or dietary changes. 

People with epilepsy are typically diagnosed after they have one or two unprovoked seizures, particularly if they are at a high risk for more seizures. 

What is a seizure?

A seizure is an unexpected, uncontrollable flurry of electrical activity in the brain. This can lead to symptoms like twitching or jerking, muscle contraction, staring, and loss of consciousness. 

Most seizures last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Any seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes is considered a medical emergency. While many seizures have mild symptoms and go away quickly, others can be extremely dangerous, especially if someone has a seizure in an unsafe environment, like while driving or swimming.

For more information about seizures, see What Is a Seizure? Symptoms, Types, and When To Call an Ambulance.

What are the most common symptoms of epilepsy?

Someone with epilepsy has had at least two seizures at least 24 hours apart. Seizures, the most common symptom of epilepsy, have symptoms and characteristics of their own. These vary depending on the type of seizure and where it started in the brain. 

The most common symptoms of a seizure include:

• Uncontrollable twitching or jerking of the arms and legs.
• Loss of awareness or loss of consciousness.
• Confusion, usually temporary. 
• Spells of staring, blinking, or gulping. 
• Emotional or cognitive changes, like fear, anxiety, déjà vu, or hallucinations. 

Seizures can be divided into two main types: focal seizures and generalized seizures. To learn more about epilepsy symptoms, as well as the different types of seizures and epileptic syndromes, see Epilepsy: Symptoms, Types, and Stages of Seizure Disorders.

What causes epilepsy? 

Neurons are nerve cells in the brain that create, send, and receive electrical signals. These signals or impulses act as communication lines for the whole body. When one of these communication pathways gets blocked or disrupted, the result is usually a seizure. 

Why these pathways get blocked can be unclear. Approximately half of people with epilepsy have no identifiable cause for the condition. For the other half, potential causes include:

• Head trauma. Car accidents or other major injuries can cause recurring seizures. 
• Genetics. Some seizure disorders run in families, but genetics are often only part of the cause of epilepsy. Certain genes can make people more sensitive to various epilepsy triggers. 
• Infections. These include meningitis, viral encephalitis, parasitic infections, or HIV.
• Injury before birth. Things like lack of oxygen, a mother’s illness or poor nutrition, or physical injury can cause brain damage linked to epilepsy and cerebral palsy. 
• Developmental conditions. Research shows potential links between epilepsy and disorders like autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 
• Stroke. Stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy in people over 35. 
• Other factors in the brain, like brain tumors or blood vessel formation disorders. 

How is epilepsy treated? 

Epilepsy syndromes are treated based on their unique symptoms. Some forms of epilepsy, like certain childhood seizure disorders, require only minimal care and can be managed without medication. Others are much more severe and may require extensive measures like brain surgery. 

Epilepsy treatments options include:

• Medication. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) limit the severity and frequency of seizures, but their effectiveness depends on the type of seizure. 
• Surgery. In extreme cases, surgery to remove or cut the part of the brain where seizures occur can help control some types of epilepsy.
• Dietary changes. High-fat, low-carbohydrate diets like ketogenic or modified Atkin’s diets may reduce seizure frequency and severity. 
• Vagus nerve stimulation. The vagus nerve controls some parts of brain activity. A small electrical device inserted under the skin may help control certain seizures by stimulating the nerve. 

How does epilepsy affect communication?

People with epilepsy are more likely to develop mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Some of these can be side effects from anti-epileptic medications, but others can be a result of the emotional, physical, and social stress of recurring seizures. 

At school or in the workplace, many people with epilepsy report:

• Forgetfulness.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Overtiredness.
• Falling behind on tasks.
• Difficulty making friends, maintaining connections, or asking for help.

Seizure risk can also get in the way of social activities. Many people with recurrent epilepsy are unable to drive, which limits choices for work and social life. People with epilepsy may avoid movie theaters, concerts, and bars to avoid common seizure triggers like flashing lights or alcohol.

Successful epilepsy care relies on a concrete network of trusted friends and family members. Open communication with teachers, coworkers, and employers can help minimize the social and career impacts of epilepsy. 

Where can I get more information about epilepsy?

Use Ability Central’s Service Locator tool to find nonprofit organizations near you devoted to research, funding, and other care for conditions like epilepsy. These organizations can connect you with information, clinical studies, and care options for children and adults with epilepsy. 

To learn more about epilepsy, see:

• Epilepsy: Symptoms, Types, and Stages of Seizure Disorders
• What Is a Seizure? Symptoms, Types, and When To Call an Ambulance
• Epilepsy First Steps: What Should I Do if I Have a Seizure?
• What Does Long-term Life Look Like With Epilepsy?

To learn more about neurological diseases and conditions like epilepsy, see: 

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Alzheimer's disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Apraxia and dyspraxia
• Autism
• Cerebral palsy
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) 
• Stroke