Synonyms

• Absence seizure, anticonvulsant, antiepileptic, atonic, aura, automatisms, carbohydrate, cerebral palsy, complex partial seizure, computed tomography, CT, déjà vu, EEG, electroencephalogram, electrolyte, febrile seizures, focal seizure, generalized seizure, grand mal seizure, hippocampus, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, hypoxia, hypsarrhythmia, ictus, idiopathic, irretractable seizure, Jacksonian epilepsy, ketogenic diet, ketone, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, magnetic resonance imaging, motor cortex, MRI, myoclonic seizure, narcolepsy, neurodegenerative, neurofibromatosis, neurological disorder, neurotransmitter, partial seizure, PET, petit mal seizure, Phenylketonuria, PKU, positron emission tomography, postictal, pseudoseizure, simple partial seizure, single photon emission computerized tomography, SPECT, status epilepticus, stroke, Sturge-Weber syndrome, sudden unexplained death in epilepsy, SUDEP, Tay-Sachs disease, temporal lobe seizure, tonic-clonic seizure, tuberous sclerosis, tumor, vagus nerve stimulation, vertigo, video-EEG, West syndrome.

Background

• Epilepsy is a group of disorders characterized by recurrent seizures. In epilepsy, brain cells (neurons) create abnormal electricity that causes seizures or jerking movements. In some cases, seizures cause a loss of consciousness, a period of confusion, a staring spell, or muscle spasms.
• A single seizure is not considered epilepsy. Individuals with epilepsy have repeated episodes of seizures. Different forms of epilepsy are either secondary to a particular brain abnormality or neurological disorder, or are said to be idiopathic (without any clear cause).
• Normally, nerve transmission in the brain occurs in an orderly fashion, allowing a smooth flow of electrical activity. Neurons send messages using chemicals that cause an electrical signal to be produced. When a neuron is not sending a signal, it is "at rest." An action potentially occurs when a neuron sends information down an axon, away from the cell body.
• A seizure occurs when these neurons generate electrical discharges that spread throughout the brain. This can occur with both normal and abnormal nerve cells.
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Risk Factors and Causes

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Types of Seizures

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Signs and Symptoms

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Diagnosis

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Complications

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Treatment

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Integrative Therapies

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Self-Monitoring

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Author Information

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Bibliography

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