In normal brain functioning, millions of tiny electrical charges pass constantly between the nerve cells of the brain and other parts of the body. When a seizure occurs, it is a signal that something has gone wrong with the electrical system of the brain.

A seizure can be defined as a brief, temporary disturbance within the electrical system of the brain. Seizure activity can occur in just one region of the brain (partial seizure) or it can affect different regions (generalized seizure).

There are two major categories of seizures, partial seizures, and generalized seizures. Partial seizures occur in just one part of the brain. About 60 percent of people with epilepsy have partial seizures. There are also different types of partial seizures. In a simple partial seizure, the person remains conscious but may experience unusual feelings or sensations. In a complex partial seizure, the person may have a change or loss of consciousness. The change in consciousness may be an altered or dreamlike experience.

The other major categories of seizures are generalized seizures. These seizures generally cause loss of consciousness, falls or massive muscles spasms. Generalized seizures are also broken down into different types. In absence or petit mal seizures the person may appear to be staring into space. With tonic seizures the muscles of the body stiffen, generally those in the back, legs, and arms. Clonic seizures cause repeated jerking movements of muscles on both sides of the body. Tonic-clonic seizures or grad mal seizures are a mixture of symptoms, including stiffening of the body and repeated jerks of the arms and/or legs as well as loss of consciousness.

Epilepsy is a condition that results when a person has recurrent seizures.

A patient's medical history, which includes as much information as possible regarding the actual seizures, is of utmost importance in diagnosing epilepsy. Often times family members who witness the seizure activity will be asked to record things like the time of day that the seizure occurs, how long it lasts, what parts of the body are affected and what the person's mental awareness is like immediately before and after the seizure. This information can help the doctor to determine the type of epilepsy that is present.

A physician who specializes in the treatment of seizures is usually a neurologist, although primary care physicians can also treat a person with seizures. A complete medical examination that includes a series of blood tests (blood sugar, complete blood count, electrolytes, and liver and kidney function tests) will be part of the initial evaluation for a patient who has seizures. The physician may also order an electroencephalogram (EEG). An EEG is a test that records brain waves picked up by tiny electrodes (wires) that are attached to the head. An EEG can show changes in the electrical activity of the brain in someone with epilepsy.

Other diagnostic tests that may be used to find a cause for seizures include CT scans (computerized tomography), MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging) and PET scans (positron emission tomography). These imaging techniques can help in identifying tumors, scar tissue, or other growths that may be causing seizures.

First aid measures for a seizure depend on the type and severity of the seizure. Protecting the person from injury is a primary concern, especially during a grand mal seizure, when consciousness may be altered. The person should be removed from danger or nearby hazards like moving objects, water, and electricity. The person's head should be protected from injury by providing a cushion against the ground. If possible, the person should be turned onto their side so that the secretions from their mouth are able to better drain.

Attempts should not be made to pry open and insert something into the mouth of a person who is having a seizure. These efforts are more likely to cause harm than do any good. The person should be accompanied following the seizure, until their mental alertness returns. There is usually a period of confusion after a grand mal seizure and the person may not be aware of their surroundings. If the seizures continue, one after the other, it is best to call on a doctor immediately.

Treatment for epilepsy can include medication, surgery, diet restriction, or a new type of therapy called vagus nerve stimulation. Of all available treatments, medications known as anticonvulsants remain the most commonly prescribed therapy for seizures. Several different types of seizure medication are now available. At times, more than one medication will be needed to adequately control the seizures. Most anticonvulsant meditations must remain at a certain level within the bloodstream to be effective. Once a medication is found to be successful in controlling seizures, it must be closely monitored by blood tests, to ensure that the correct amount of medication remains in the blood at all times.

Surgery to treat seizures may be necessary when anticonvulsant drugs fail. If the seizures are confined to a small segment of the brain, sometimes by removing those pieces of brain tissue, seizure activity can be controlled.

In addition to the therapies mentioned, a person with epilepsy can often help to control his or her seizures by getting enough sleep, avoiding unwanted stress, and having regular medical checkups by a physician. In some people, seizure disorders may resolve spontaneously. In spite of all the treatments now available to treat epilepsy, an estimated 20% of people with epilepsy are unable to gain complete control over their seizures.

For many people, having epilepsy has not been as difficult as overcoming the problems associated with the stigma of epilepsy. A major component of epilepsy education involves dispelling the myths that have long been associated with this disorder.

Some common misconceptions about epilepsy include:

Epilepsy is contagious. Epilepsy cannot be caught from being in contact with a person with epilepsy.

People with epilepsy cannot be employed. Many people with epilepsy are successful in all types of professions. Even today, people with epilepsy often do not discuss their medical disorder with co-workers for fear of what others may think.

People with epilepsy are physically limited in what they can do. In most cases epilepsy is not a barrier to physical achievement. In some circumstances, when seizures are not being well controlled, persons with epilepsy may be advised to refrain from certain activities like driving an automobile.

Only kids get epilepsy. Although epilepsy is more common in children and young adults, it happens quite often to those over age 65, especially the people with a history of stroke, heart disease, or Alzheimer's disease are at great risk.

You should force something into the mouth of someone having a seizure so that they do not swallow their tongue. Never attempt to jam something into the mouth of a person having a seizure! By jamming something into a person's mouth one can cause trauma to the teeth and mouth.

Epilepsy is no longer a problem since there are medications to treat it. It is estimated that 2.3 million Americans have epilepsy. Unfortunately, treatment does not prevent seizures for everyone. Researchers continue to look for new ways to combat this disorder.

You can't die from epilepsy. Epilepsy can become a life-threatening medical condition when seizures cannot be stopped. Estimates indicate that 22,000 to 42,000 deaths occur each year in the United States from prolonged seizures, a condition that is termed status epilepticus.