More than two million Americans have seizure disorders. A
seizure is the outward sign of sudden, brief change in the electrical balance of
the brain. A single seizure can have many causes, such as a high fever, lack of
oxygen or poisoning. Seizures that occur more than once, without a special
cause, are called a seizure disorder, also known as epilepsy.
Seizures last from a few seconds to a few minutes. Symptoms can range from mild
to severe, and can include
• Convulsions
• Episodes of blank staring
• Muscle spasms
• Loss of consciousness
A person can have a seizure at any time during his or her life. If epilepsy -
that is, a continuing tendency to have seizures - is diagnosed, the usual
treatment is regular medication. Other possibilities are surgery, a special
diet, or vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).
Seizure Disorder or epilepsy is a chronic and/or lifelong condition. However, 85
% of people with epilepsy can achieve good control of their seizures and lead
successful lives.
See also: Epilepsy