A secondary generalized seizure occurs when the epileptic activity starts as a partial seizure but spreads to both halves of the brain. As this seizure progresses, the person will lose consciousness. They may also request tests to determine the type of epilepsy and the type of seizures the person has.
Based on these results, the doctor will be able to recommend treatment options, such as antiseizure medications. The doctor may also use blood tests to identify any underlying conditions that could be causing the epilepsy.
Neurological tests may also help a doctor determine the type of epilepsy the person has. A review of research linked over genes to epilepsy. This number continues to grow as more studies take place.
Genes may link to epilepsy directly, to brain anomalies that can lead to epilepsy, or to other genetic conditions that can cause seizures. Some people inherit genetic factors. However, certain genetic mutations may also cause epilepsy in people without a family history of the condition. A variety of factors can lead to seizures.
One study identified stress , sleep deprivation , and fatigue as the most frequent triggers among participants. Flickering lights and high levels of alcohol consumption can also cause seizures. Stress is a common cause of seizures, but the reason is unclear. Research from in the journal Science Signaling focused on this trigger. The study also found that the molecule that typically suppresses brain activity in response to stress enhanced activity instead.
This may contribute to seizures. Read our coverage of this study here. Seizures are the main symptom of epilepsy. Some people may have a single seizure, or they may experience seizures that are not due to epilepsy. It is even possible for doctors to misdiagnose nonepileptic seizures as epilepsy. However, nonepileptic seizures do not stem from abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
The causes of these can be physical, emotional, or psychological. There are also different types of seizure, which may vary among people with epilepsy. In two people with epilepsy, for example, the condition may look different. For this reason, the CDC describe epilepsy as a spectrum disorder. The Americans with Disabilities Act ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, including epilepsy. This applies whether or not the person is able to manage their seizures with medication or surgery.
People with epilepsy have certain employment-related protections under the ADA, including the following:. According to the Social Security Administration, people with epilepsy may be eligible for disability benefits. This requires that people document their seizure type and frequency while taking all the prescribed medications. Some devices can monitor seizures and alert caregivers, potentially benefiting treatment and helping prevent sudden unexpected death in epilepsy SUDEP.
A small study involving 28 participants, the results of which appeared in the journal Neurology , compared one such multimodality device, the Nightwatch, to an Emfit bed sensor. It also only missed one serious attack every 25 nights. This indicates that there may be potential benefits of using accurate nighttime warning systems. Anyone can develop epilepsy, but it is not contagious.
A review of research highlighted some misconceptions and stigma about epilepsy, including the false belief that epilepsy can transmit between people. The study authors note that people with lower education levels and socioeconomic status had a high rate of misconceptions, as did those who did not know any people with epilepsy.
Find out more about the tests for epilepsy you might have. Find out what to do if someone has a seizure. Treatment can help most people with epilepsy have fewer seizures or stop having seizures completely. Some people need treatment for life. But you might be able to stop treatment if your seizures disappear over time.
Epilepsy is usually a lifelong condition, but most people with it are able to have normal lives if their seizures are well controlled. Epilepsy is a diverse group of neurological disorders of varying types and severities which are characterized by recurrent seizures.
In general, epilepsy and seizures result from abnormal circuit activity in the brain. Any event ranging from faulty wiring during brain development, brain inflammation, physical injury or infection can lead to seizure and epilepsy.
Underlying causes for epilepsy include:. Epilepsy and seizures can develop in any person and at any age, though new cases are most common in children, especially in the first year of life. An estimated 65 million people worldwide currently live with epilepsy, including more than 3.
In fact, one in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy in their lifetime. Sadly, there is no cure for epilepsy. There are, however, many treatments and therapies available to help patients with epilepsy become seizure-free, including medication, anti-seizure devices, and surgery. Research will help us find a cure for epilepsy. Some children with epilepsy stop having seizures and can stop taking medication. Learn more about the medications used to treat epilepsy ».
The most common surgery is a resection. This involves removing the part of the brain where the seizures start. Most often, the temporal lobe is removed in a procedure known as temporal lobectomy. In some cases, this can stop seizure activity.
The surgeon makes cuts in the brain to interrupt the nerve pathway. That keeps seizures from spreading to other areas of the brain. After surgery, some people are able to cut down on antiseizure medications or even stop taking them. There are risks to any surgery, including a bad reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, and infection.
Surgery of the brain can sometimes result in cognitive changes. Discuss the pros and cons of the different procedures with your surgeon and seek a second opinion before making a final decision. Learn more about surgery for epilepsy ». The ketogenic diet is often recommended for children with epilepsy. This diet is low in carbohydrates and high in fats. The diet forces the body to use fat for energy instead of glucose, a process called ketosis.
The diet requires a strict balance between fats, carbohydrates, and protein. Children on this diet must be carefully monitored by a doctor. It works better for some types of epilepsy than others. For adolescents and adults with epilepsy, a modified Atkins diet may be recommended. This diet is also high in fat and involves a controlled carb intake. About half of adults who try the modified Atkins diet experience fewer seizures.
Results may be seen as quickly as a few months. Because these diets tend to be low in fiber and high in fat, constipation is a common side effect. In any case, not eating processed foods can help improve your health. Learn more about how your diet can affect epilepsy ».
About 15 to 35 percent of children with intellectual disabilities also have epilepsy. Often, they stem from the same cause. Some people experience a change in behavior in the minutes or hours before a seizure. This could be related to abnormal brain activity preceding a seizure, and may include:.
Children with epilepsy may experience uncertainty in their lives. The prospect of a sudden seizure in front of friends and classmates can be stressful. These feelings can cause a child to act out or withdraw from social situations.
Most children learn to adjust over time. For others, social dysfunction can continue into adulthood. Between 30 to 70 percent of people with epilepsy also have depression, anxiety, or both. Antiseizure medications can also have an effect on behavior. Switching or making adjustments to medication may help.
Behavioral problems should be addressed during doctor visits. Treatment will depend on the nature of the problem. You might also benefit from individual therapy, family therapy, or joining a support group to help you cope. Because you never know when a seizure will occur, many everyday activities like crossing a busy street, can become dangerous.
These problems can lead to loss of independence.
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