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February 3, 2012
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Epilepsy

Medical Author:
J Stephen Huff, MD
Coauthor:
Mary Huff, RN
Medical Editor:
Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
James S Cohen, MD

Epilepsy Overview

Epilepsy is a condition in which a person has recurrent seizures. A seizure is defined as an abnormal, disorderly discharging of the brain's nerve cells, resulting in a temporary disturbance of motor, sensory, or mental function.

There are many types of seizures, depending primarily on what part of the brain is involved. The term epilepsy says nothing about the type of seizure or cause of the seizure, only that the seizures happen again and again. A stricter definition of the term requires that the seizures have no known underlying cause. This may also be called primary or idiopathic epilepsy.

  • Episodes of abnormal electrical activity within the brain result in seizures.

  • The specific area of the brain affected by the abnormal electrical activity may result in a particular type of seizure.

  • If all areas of the brain are affected by the abnormal electrical activity, a generalized seizure may result. This means that consciousness is lost or impaired. Often all the person's arms and legs stiffen and then jerk rhythmically.

  • One seizure type may evolve into another during the course of the seizure. For example, a seizure may start as a partial, or focal, seizure, involving the face or arm. Then the muscular activity spreads to other areas of the body. In this way, the seizure becomes generalized.

  • Seizures caused byhigh fevers in children are not considered epilepsy. Also see children's seizures.

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Epilepsy

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Epilepsy

Seizure »

Seizure Overview

Abnormal electrical activity in the brain triggers seizure activity. A person may have a seizure disorder (epilepsy) and require medications. Other factors such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which is a diabetic reaction, may cause seizures. Meningitis or a head injury may also cause a seizure.

Fainting can also cause a series of jerking movements as the person loses consciousness. These movements do not necessarily indicate a seizure.

Seizure Symptoms

  • Symptoms range from jerking movements in a single extremity to abnormal movements throughout the entire body.
  • Some seizures may cause lip smacking, behaviorisms, staring spells, or other symptoms depending on in which area of the brain the seizure cause originates.
  • Seizures may affect bladder and bowel control, and a person experiencing a seizure often bites his or her own tongue.

Seizure Tr...

Read the Seizure article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Benign Childhood Epilepsy »

Epilepsy is defined as 2 or more unprovoked seizures.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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