Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder (neurological disorder) in which nerve cell activity in the brain becomes disrupted, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior or sensations. They may also have violent muscle spasms or lose consciousness.

Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs.

Epilepsy has many possible causes, including illness, brain injury, and abnormal brain development. In many cases, the cause is unknown.

About 1 in 26 people in the United States will develop a seizure disorder. Nearly 10 percent of individuals may have a single unprovoked seizure. However, a single seizure does not mean you have epilepsy. At least 2 unprovoked seizures are generally required for an epilepsy diagnosis.

There is no cure for epilepsy, but medicines can control seizures for most people. When medicines are not working well, surgery or implanted devices may help. Special diets can help some children with epilepsy.

Even mild seizures may require treatment because they can be dangerous during activities such as driving or swimming. Treatment with medications or sometimes surgery can control seizures for about 80 percent of people with epilepsy. Some children with epilepsy may also outgrow their condition with age.

Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half of those with the condition. In the other half, multiple factors contribute to the condition including:

• Genetic influence. Some types of epilepsy, which are categorized by the type of seizure you experience or the part of the brain that is affected, run in families. In these cases, it is likely that there's a genetic influence. Researchers have linked some types of epilepsy to specific genes, though it is estimated that up to 500 genes could be associated with the condition. For most people, genes are only part of the cause of epilepsy. Certain genes may make a person more sensitive to environmental conditions that trigger seizures.
• Head trauma. Head trauma as a result of a car accident or other traumatic injury can cause epilepsy.
• Brain conditions. Brain conditions that cause damage to the brain, such as brain tumors or strokes, can cause epilepsy. Stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy in adults older than age 35.
• Infectious diseases. Infectious diseases, such as meningitis, AIDS and viral encephalitis, can cause epilepsy.
• Prenatal injury. Before birth, babies are sensitive to brain damage that could be caused by several factors, such as an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or oxygen deficiencies. This brain damage can result in epilepsy or cerebral palsy.
• Developmental disorders. Epilepsy can sometimes be associated with developmental disorders, such as autism and neurofibromatosis.

Certain factors may increase your risk of epilepsy such as:

• Age. The onset of epilepsy is most common during early childhood and after age 60, but the condition can occur at any age.
• Family history. If you have a family history of epilepsy, you may be at an increased risk of developing a seizure disorder.
• Head injuries. Head injuries are responsible for some cases of epilepsy. You can reduce your risk by wearing a seat belt while riding in a car and by wearing a helmet while bicycling, skiing, riding a motorcycle or engaging in other activities with a high risk of head injury.
• Stroke and other vascular diseases. Stroke and other blood vessel (vascular) diseases can lead to brain damage that may trigger epilepsy. You can take a number of steps to reduce your risk of these diseases, including limiting your intake of alcohol and avoiding cigarettes, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
• Dementia. Dementia can increase the risk of epilepsy in older adults.
• Brain infections. Infections such as meningitis, which causes inflammation in your brain or spinal cord, can increase your risk.
• Seizures in childhood. High fevers in childhood can sometimes be associated with seizures. Children who have seizures due to high fevers generally won't develop epilepsy, although the risk is higher if they have a long seizure, other nervous system conditions or a family history of epilepsy.

See a doctor after a first seizure or if seizures change in pattern. Call 911 if a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, repeats without recovery, or causes injury or trouble breathing.