Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures that stem from abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Affecting an estimated 50 million people worldwide, epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions, impacting individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds (1). With proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments, many individuals can successfully manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Types of Epilepsy and Seizures

Epilepsy is classified into several types based on the origin and spread of seizures:

• Focal Epilepsy: Seizures begin in a specific brain area, which can cause symptoms localized to that area.
• Generalized Epilepsy: Seizures affect both hemispheres of the brain from the onset.
• Combined Focal and Generalized Epilepsy: Patients experience both focal and generalized seizures.
• Unknown Epilepsy: When the type cannot be determined.

Causes of Epilepsy

The cause of epilepsy often remains unknown, but common risk factors include:

• Genetics: Some types of epilepsy have genetic links.
• Brain Injury: Head trauma can lead to epilepsy, sometimes years after the injury.
• Brain Structure Abnormalities: Issues like tumors or malformations can increase seizure risk.
• Infections: Conditions such as meningitis, encephalitis, or AIDS can lead to epilepsy.
• Developmental Conditions: Disorders such as autism or neurodevelopmental disorders are sometimes associated with epilepsy (3).

Symptoms of Epilepsy

Seizure symptoms vary based on the type of seizure:

• Generalized Seizures: These may involve loss of consciousness, uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs (convulsions), or muscle stiffening.
• Focal Seizures: Symptoms may include localized twitching, sensory changes, or unusual behaviors.
• Absence Seizures: Often mistaken for daydreaming, absence seizures involve brief lapses in awareness. This is often described as a “staring spell.’
• Auras: Many people experience warning sensations, such as strange smells or feelings, before certain types of seizures (4).
• Temporary Confusion: After a seizure subsides, a temporary group of symptoms may occur and are defined as a ‘postictal state.’ A postictal state typically lasts between 5 and 30 minutes and is characterized by disorienting symptoms such as confusion, drowsiness, hypertension, headache, and/or nausea (5).
• Psychological Symptoms: Fear, anxiety, changes in behavior, psychosis, or ‘deja vu’ may be experienced. 

Most individuals with epilepsy will experience the same type of seizure each episode.

Statistics on Epilepsy

• Prevalence: 150,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed in the United States annually. 2.2 million people in the United States and more than 65 million people worldwide have epilepsy [6]. 
• Mortality: risk of death increases for people with epilepsy, with an estimated 10 years of life lost for people whose epilepsy has a known cause and 2 years lost for people with epilepsy from an unknown cause [6].
• Treatment: It is estimated that up to 70% of people living with epilepsy could live seizure-free if properly diagnosed and treated [1].