Overview
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder marked by recurring, unprovoked seizures, which are sudden surges of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. These seizures can affect a person’s awareness, movements, behavior, or sensations, and they vary widely in type and severity. Epilepsy is not a single disease but a spectrum of brain disorders that can develop at any age and may be lifelong or temporary, depending on the cause.

Why It’s Important
Epilepsy affects daily safety, independence, and mental health. Seizures can occur without warning and may lead to injury, memory problems, or social stigma. In some cases, seizures may be life-threatening or indicate a serious underlying condition. With proper diagnosis and management, however, many people with epilepsy can live full and active lives.

Quick Facts

• Affects about 1 in 26 people in the U.S. during their lifetime

• Can develop at any age, but is most common in young children and older adults

• Chronic, but in some cases, seizures may be controlled or stop over time

• Types of seizures:

  • Focal seizures (start in one part of the brain)

  • Generalized seizures (involve both sides of the brain)

• Not contagious and not always lifelong

What Happens in the Body
In epilepsy, certain brain cells become hyperactive or hypersynchronous, creating abnormal electrical bursts that disrupt normal brain communication. These bursts can cause involuntary movements, loss of consciousness, strange sensations, or emotional changes, depending on the area of the brain affected. Causes can include genetics, brain injury, infections, developmental issues, or may be unknown (idiopathic epilepsy).

Common Signs and Symptoms
Seizures are the hallmark symptom, and can include:

• Staring spells or confusion

• Jerking movements of arms and legs

• Loss of consciousness or awareness

• Repetitive movements (e.g., lip-smacking, hand-rubbing)

• Aura (a strange feeling, taste, or smell before a seizure)

• Fatigue or confusion after a seizure

Diagnosis

• Neurological exam and detailed medical history

• EEG (electroencephalogram) to detect abnormal brain activity

• MRI or CT scan to check for structural brain problems

• Blood tests to rule out other causes
  See a doctor if you or someone else experiences:

• Two or more unprovoked seizures

• Seizures that last longer than 5 minutes

• Post-seizure confusion, difficulty breathing, or injury during the event

• A seizure with no known cause (such as head trauma or fever)

Treatment and Management

• Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) are the primary treatment

• For some, surgery may be an option if seizures originate from one brain area

• Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), responsive neurostimulation (RNS), or deep brain stimulation (DBS)

• Ketogenic diet (high-fat, low-carb) in children with difficult-to-control epilepsy

• Lifestyle changes: sleep regulation, stress reduction, avoiding seizure triggers

• Some people go into remission, while others may require lifelong treatment

Risks and Complications

• Injuries from falls or accidents during seizures

• Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)—rare but serious

• Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues

• Memory and learning challenges, especially in children

• Social isolation or discrimination

Who Is at Risk

• Family history of epilepsy or seizures

• Brain injury (trauma, stroke, tumor)

• Infections (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis)

• Prenatal or birth complications

• Developmental disorders (e.g., autism, cerebral palsy)

• History of febrile seizures in childhood

Related Conditions

• Migraine disorders

• Sleep disorders

• Depression or anxiety

• Autism spectrum disorders

• Cerebral palsy

When to See a Doctor

• After a first-time seizure, even if brief

• If seizures are frequent, prolonged, or changing in pattern

• If current treatments aren’t working or cause severe side effects

• When planning pregnancy or lifestyle changes that may affect medication

Last Updated: June 23, 2025