Epilepsy

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder, affecting about 65 million people worldwide. As a chronic condition, epilepsy can affect daily life, work, education, driving and overall routines.

At Banner Health, we recognize how deeply epilepsy can affect your life. Our experts are here to answer questions, provide advanced treatments and support you and your family as you live with epilepsy.

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a long-term neurological condition that leads to repeated, unprovoked seizures. These seizures result from sudden changes in brain electrical activity. Depending on the area of the brain where they start, seizures can affect movement, behavior, awareness and even emotions.

It’s important to understand that not all seizures are caused by epilepsy. Epilepsy is diagnosed after two unprovoked seizures or one unprovoked seizure with a high risk of future seizures.

Epilepsy can begin at any age. It is most often diagnosed in childhood or later adulthood, but it can also develop in teenagers and adults. While epilepsy looks different in each person, all forms share one common feature: a tendency for seizures to repeat over time.

Types of epilepsy

Health care experts classify epilepsy based on where seizures begin in the brain. They are either focal or generalized. Focal seizures happen on one side of the brain. Generalized seizures happen on both sides of the brain. 

There are different types of epilepsy syndromes. These include West syndrome, Rasmussen’s syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Doose syndrome.

People with epilepsy can have different kinds of seizures. The symptoms and effects depend on which part of the brain is affected.

Learn more about the different types of seizures.

Symptoms of epilepsy

Epilepsy symptoms can be different for everyone. They depend on where in the brain the seizures start and how the electrical signals in the brain spread. Symptoms can be very mild or more obvious. 

Signs and symptoms of epileptic seizures include:

• Sudden staring or loss of awareness
• Muscle jerking, twitching or stiffening
• Temporary confusion or trouble speaking
• Unusual sensations, such as tingling, smells or tastes that others do not notice
• Changes in emotions or behavior that happen quickly
• Loss of consciousness (passing out)
• Feeling very tired, weak or confused after a seizure

Because symptoms can be different, it's not always easy to tell when someone is having a seizure. Some people might have short moments where they are unaware, while others might have big movements or fall down. 

If you keep having seizures and don't know why, it might be epilepsy. Make an appointment with Banner Health.

Causes, triggers and risk factors

Epilepsy can happen for many different reasons and sometimes we don't know what causes it. Some common reasons include:

• Brain injury or head trauma
• Stroke or problems with blood flow in the brain
• Brain infections, such as meningitis or encephalitis
• Brain tumors or structural changes in the brain
• Developmental or genetic conditions that affect the nervous system

Certain triggers may increase the risk of epileptic seizures:

• Lack of sleep
• Stress
• Alcohol or drug use
• Missed seizure medications
• Hormonal changes
• Illness or fever
• Flashing or bright lights

Certain risk factors may increase the chances of developing epilepsy:

• Family history of seizures or epilepsy
• Having a seizure in childhood related to a high fever (febrile seizure)
• Neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease or autism
• Seizures that begin at a very young age

Knowing your risk factors can help you and your health care provider monitor your symptoms and take steps toward early diagnosis.

How seizures are diagnosed

If you have seizures that happen over and over without any reason, a neurology care specialist will try to find out why and what kind they are. 

Diagnosis usually includes:

• Medical history: Your provider will ask about your symptoms, family history of seizures and any triggers you’ve noticed
• Physical and neurological exam: To check how your brain and nervous system are working, tests may focus on memory, reflexes, coordination and thinking
• Electroencephalogram (EEG): Record brain activity to find abnormal patterns
• Imaging tests: Take MRI or CT scans to look for brain injury, tumors or other causes
• Blood tests: To check for infections, metabolic issues or genetic conditions 

Learn more about testing and diagnosis.

Treatment for seizures

The goal of treatment is to reduce or prevent seizures. Options may include:

• Anti-seizure medications: The most common treatment. Medicines help balance electrical activity in the brain.
• Surgery: For some patients, removing or disconnecting the brain area where seizures start can help.
• Neurostimulation devices: Implanted devices can help control seizures by sending gentle electrical signals to the brain or nerves.
• Diet: Some people benefit from specialized diets, such as the ketogenic diet, to help reduce seizures.

Working with a neurologist helps make sure you or someone you care about gets the safest and best treatment.

Find out more about treatment and care for epilepsy.

Living with epilepsy 

Epilepsy is more than just seizures. It can affect many areas of your daily life:

• Driving: Laws vary by state, but most require people with epilepsy to be seizure-free for a certain amount of time before driving.
• School and work: Seizures can interrupt activities and sometimes medication side effects affect concentration or energy.
• Mental health: People with epilepsy may face depression, anxiety or stress related to their condition.
• Family life: Caregivers and loved ones may need to learn seizure first aid, manage medications and provide support.

With a treatment plan and support system, many people with epilepsy lead full, active lives. Support groups, counseling and patient education can make daily management easier.

Visit the Epilepsy Foundation website for more resources and information about living with epilepsy. 

Get care for epilepsy

If you or someone you care about has seizures, getting help early can make a big difference. At Banner Health, our doctors who specialize in the brain and nerves will help diagnose and care for you over time.

Find a neurologist

Learn about epilepsy care