Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by a disruption of electrical surges in the brain, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. The fourth most common neurological disorder in America, epilepsy is most often diagnosed in childhood or after the age of 65 but can occur in anyone at any age.
Seizures can last from a few seconds to a few minutes, and sometimes it’s hard to tell that a person is having one, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Seizure signs and symptoms may include:
- Temporary confusion—often described as a “fuzzy” feeling
- A staring spell
- Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs
- Loss of consciousness or awareness
- Psychic symptoms—out-of-body feelings or not feeling “in the moment”
- Memory lapses
In most cases, a person with epilepsy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so symptoms will be similar from episode to episode.
Treating epilepsy
Some treatments work better than others, depending on the type of epilepsy diagnosed. Treatment options include anti-seizure medication, surgery, nerve stimulation, and diet changes. The goal of treatment is to achieve no seizures and no side effects, enabling those who have epilepsy to live independently.
While many internists and family practice doctors treat epilepsy, a neurologist—a doctor who specializes in the brain and nervous system—typically is best able to diagnose and treat epilepsy. Some cases are difficult to treat, and those patients often consult with an epileptologist, a neurologist who specializes in epilepsy treatment.
Seizure warning signs
Many people experience an aura before having a seizure. It is kind of the body’s way of warning them that a seizure is headed their way.
Common warning signs of seizures include:
- Sensitivity to smells, sounds, or sights
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Visual changes, such as tunnel vision
Keeping a journal of what’s triggered seizures and what warning signs occurred before they happened can help epilepsy sufferers better control their seizures.
What can trigger an epileptic seizure?
People with epilepsy report a variety of things that can trigger a seizure. They include:
- Stress
- Missing medication
- Lack of sleep
- Fever
- Flashing lights
- Alcohol, drugs, and caffeine
- Nicotine
- Low blood sugar
Not all seizures are emergencies. To help someone having a seizure, focus on safety. Give the person room, clear hard or sharp objects, and cushion the head. Don’t try to hold the person down, stop movements, or put anything in the person’s mouth. For milder seizures, like ones involving staring or shaking arms or legs, guide the person away from hazards—sharp objects, traffic, stairs. Don’t leave someone who’s had a seizure alone. Stay until the person is aware of where he or she is and responds normally when spoken to. Keep track of how long the seizure lasts. The CDC recommends calling 911 if a seizure lasts more than five minutes or if the person gets injured during the seizure.
What causes epileptic seizures?
While one in 26 people will develop epilepsy, more than half of the time its cause is unknown, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.
The known causes include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neurologic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s
- Stroke
- Brain tumor
- Brain infection, such as meningitis
- Loss of oxygen to the brain
- Some genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome
Classifying seizures
There are three major groups of seizures—generalized onset, focal onset, and unknown onset—and a lengthy breakdown of specific symptoms under each category. The differences among the types are in how and where they begin in the brain.
Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain, focal onset seizures start in one area on one side of the brain, and the unknown label categorizes seizures when the beginning can’t be determined.
Diagnosing epilepsy
Experts recommend anyone who experiences seizure symptoms should seek medical advice because epilepsy can be diagnosed only by a medical professional. Many people who have seizures take tests such as an electroencephalogram—an EEG—which can show which parts of the brain are not behaving normally. According to the International League Against Epilepsy, patients are diagnosed with epilepsy if they have two unprovoked seizures more than 24 hours apart or one unprovoked seizure and a high risk of having another.