Epilepsy

Epilepsy, sometimes called "seizure disorder," is a neurological condition that manifests itself as a susceptibility to seizures. Individuals diagnosed with epilepsy have typically experienced two or more seizures as a result of factors other than preventable conditions, such as fever or low blood sugar levels, which can cause seizures but are not necessarily indicative of epilepsy.

A seizure is a sudden surge in electrical activity in the brain that causes an alteration in sensation, behavior, or consciousness. Seizure types can vary greatly from one individual to the next. They may cause momentary loss of consciousness, staring spells, repetitive movements, or convulsions involving the entire body. An individual may experience only a single type or more than one type of seizure.

Epilepsy in childhood is not the same as epilepsy in adulthood. Although seizure types can be the same, the causes of seizures are very different between adults and children.