Epilepsy

What Is It?

Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurring seizures in an individual. Seizures are an abnormal overactivity of the cells of the brain which can affect variable regions of the central nervous system, primarily in the forebrain. The effects of seizures depend on their location in the brain and their extent. The classic appearance of seizure with physical convulsions in a patient is a common manifestation of seizures but not all types of seizures include convulsions.

There are many causes of seizures. In general, any injury to the brain can lead to seizures, including trauma, tumors, vascular lesions, hemorrhage and developmental anomalies. Below are many links to pages describing many of the various types of seizures and causes of this disease.

Learn more about the symptoms.

Learn more about its treatment, including antiepileptic drugs and surgery.

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Types of Seizures

• Generalized Seizures: These are seizures that involve both sides of the brain simultaneously, affecting the whole brain.
  • Grand Mal or Tonic-Clonic
  • Petit Mal or Absence
  • Infantile Spasms
  • Primary Generalized
• Partial Seizures: These are seizures that only affect a part of the brain at one time.
  • Simple Partial
  • Complex Partial
  • Secondary Generalization

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Causes and Types of Epilepsy

• Temporal Lobe Epilepsies: One of the most common types of epilepsy, these seizures originate in the temporal lobe of the brain.
• Cortical Dysplasia: Cortical dysplasia is an abnormal development of part of the cortex of the brain, which often leads to a seizure condition in children.
• Hemimegalencephaly: A severe form of cortical dysplasia which involves an entire hemisphere (half) of the brain.
• Hereditary Forms: These are genetic diseases which are inherited and tend to run in families.
  • Sturge-Weber Syndrome
  • Tuberous Sclerosis
• Pediatric and Infant Seizures
• Febrile Seizures: Seizures that occur with fever in children are not uncommon. What do they mean?
• Rasmussen's Encephalitis: A rare inflammation of the brain that typically only affects one side of the brain and causes seizures.
• Post-Traumatic Seizures: Any trauma and injury to the brain can cause seizures.
• Abdominal Seizures
• Other Diseases Which can Cause Seizures:
  • Brain Tumors
  • Nervous System Infections (such as meningitis or abscess)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Cerebrovascular Disease (such as brain hemorrhage, Moyamoya disease, arteriovenous malformation, etc.)

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Other Related Topics

• Status Epilepticus
• Todd's Paralysis

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Important Note: This site is not intended to offer medical advice. Every patient is different, and only your personal physician can help to counsel you about what is best for your situation. What we offer is general reference information about various disorders and treatments for your education.