Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that affects thousands of adults and children. A seizure is when the brain has a burst of abnormal electrical signals over a short period of time. These signals cause the body and brain to react in certain ways.
EpilepsyEpilepsy is a seizure disorder that affects thousands of adults and children. A seizure is when the brain has a burst of abnormal electrical signals over a short period of time. These signals cause the body and brain to react in certain ways.You may be diagnosed with epilepsy if you have had 2 or more seizures.CausesCauses of epilepsy include brain damage from a stroke, tumor, infection, or other problem. Sometimes, there is a problem in the brain that has been there since birth. It can run in families. In many cases, the cause of epilepsy is not known.There are 2 main types of seizures: generalized seizures and partial or focal seizures.A generalized seizure affects most of the brain. There are different kinds of generalized seizures. The second main type of seizure is called a partial or focal seizure. Unlike a generalized seizure, a partial seizure happens in just one part of the brain.The most common type of seizure is a generalized seizure called a tonic-clonic seizure. It is also known as a grand mal seizure. The seizure then starts with a stiffening of the body. This is the tonic phase. You may stop breathing for a short time. The clonic phase then occurs when the body makes jerking movements. You may lose bladder or bowel control. Depending on the type, a seizure may last a few seconds or a few minutes.After a seizure, you may be very tired and confused. You may have a headache or want to sleep. You may feel back to normal in a few minutes, or need hours to recover. If a seizure causes you to fall, this may result in injuries that need to be treated.DiagnosisIf you have a seizure, you may have a brain scan or a brain wave study called an electroencephalogram, or E-E-G. You may need blood tests to diagnose any health conditions that could be causing or worsening your seizures. A spinal tap may be needed if a brain infection is suspected. Imaging tests, such as a C-T or M-R-I scan, may also be done.TreatmentTreatment depends on what is causing the seizures. The main treatment for epilepsy is anti-seizure medicine. If you are taking anti-seizure medicines, do not take any other medicines, herbs, or supplements without talking with your healthcare provider. Some of these therapies can interact with anti-seizure medicine and may increase your chance of having a seizure. If seizure symptoms can’t be stopped with anti-seizure medicines or other therapy, this is called intractable epilepsy. In some cases, the symptoms may not be epileptic seizures. They may be related to something else. You may need more tests. In some people, surgery may also be an option to help prevent seizures.Seizure safetyIf you have epilepsy, teach your family and friends about your disorder. Help them learn what to do if you have a seizure. If you feel a seizure coming on, tell someone near you and lie down. If you live alone, have someone come to stay with you until your epilepsy is under control. If you have recurrent seizures, you may not be legally able to drive. Or you may have your driving restricted until your seizures are under control. You may also not be able to work with dangerous equipment. Talk with your employer if you operate this kind of machinery. You should also stay away from other situations that could pose a danger if you were to have a seizure, such as being in a swimming pool alone or using a ladder. If you are with someone having a seizure, stay calm. Do not try to hold the person down. If possible, roll them gently onto their side. Remove anything nearby that could cause injury. During a seizure, it may not be possible or necessary to do C-P-R. The person may not breathe, and might turn blue, but you may have to wait until the seizure is over to see if C-P-R is needed. A person can’t swallow his or her tongue, but may bite it. Do not try to put something in a person’s mouth if they’re having a seizure. Get medical help, especially if the person becomes injured, has trouble breathing after the seizure, or does not become conscious shortly after the seizure. Call 911 if the person has not had a seizure before, has 2 or more seizures in a row without recovering between them, or has a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes. This is a medical emergency.Things to rememberThere are many different kinds of seizures. If you have seizures, teach your friends and family about your condition and what you want them to do if you have a seizure. Wear a seizure I-D bracelet. If a person is having a seizure, do not try to restrain them or put anything in their mouth.What we have learnedA person will recover from a seizure in a few minutes. True or false? The answer is "false". It can take several minutes or even hours to fully recover from a seizure. It depends on the type of seizure.Not everyone who has a seizure has epilepsy. True or false? The answer is "true". A person who has had 2 or more seizures is usually diagnosed with epilepsy.Treatment for seizures depends on what is causing them. True or false? The answer is "true". If you are diagnosed with epilepsy, the main treatment is anti-seizure medicine.
Online Medical Reviewer: Barbuto, John P, MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Godsey, Cynthia, MSN, APRN, MSHE, FNP-BC
Date Last Reviewed: 04/30/2020
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