Epilepsy: Seizures, Causes and Treatment

What it is

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes recurring seizures. A seizure happens when clusters of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain send out the wrong signals.

What a seizure can look like

During a seizure, a person may:

• have strange sensations or emotions;
• behave strangely;
• have violent muscle spasms;
• lose consciousness.

Causes

Epilepsy has many possible causes, including:

• illness;
• brain injury;
• abnormal brain development.

In many cases, the cause is unknown.

Diagnosis

Doctors use brain scans and other tests to diagnose epilepsy. Starting treatment right away is important.

Treatment

There is no cure, but medicines control seizures for most people. When medicines don't work well:

• surgery may help;
• so may implanted devices, such as vagus nerve stimulators.

Special diets can help some children with epilepsy.

Sources

Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Epilepsy," National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; a work of the United States government in the public domain.