What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy applies to numerous nervous system disorders that result in abnormal electrical discharges of brain cells. This produces seizures that may cause convulsive movements, or partial or total loss of consciousness. Only a small percentage of people with epilepsy also have mental retardation. Scientific advances have made it possible to control many forms of epilepsy. As a result, most people with the condition lead normal lives. When medication is not effective, specialized medical services, vocational programs and in-home and out-of-home residential services are available.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. A seizure is a brief alteration of consciousness (level of awareness), muscle control, behavior or sensory perception. Seizures can last a few seconds to several minutes. Most seizures last less than 2 minutes. During a seizure, brain cells behave abnormally and show unusual repeated electrical discharges. This often begins within a small cluster of abnormal nerve cells and spreads to involve normal cells in other areas of the brain. People who suffer a single, isolated seizure are not epileptic and might not require treatment unless the seizures recur.
