The terms epilepsy and seizure are often confined. On the one hand, a seizure is the resulting behavior or set of behaviors, characterized by an apparent alteration of responsiveness and/or, sensory, or autonomic dysfunction, caused by excessive neuronal discharges in the brain. A seizure is a single event. Epilepsy is recurrent seizure activity resulting from a primary discharge of aberrant neurons within the brain. The causes of seizures are numerous.

A "seizure" is a transient event caused by abnormal excitability of all or part of the brain. The principal cells of the brain, or "neurons", use several different types of chemicals (called neurotransmitters) to communicate with each other. These chemical messages are translated into electrical signals, which allow neurons in different parts of the brain to work together and perform tasks: to move your arm, read a book, or tell a story.

Seizures can recur after successful epilepsy surgery in about 20-30% of patients, with times of recurrence ranging from 1 to more than 10 years. Most commonly, seizures recur after antiepileptic medications are stopped, and can be controlled again if medications are restarted. Less often, seizures recur even though the patient is still taking medications. Need an appointment? Request one online 24 hours/day, 7 days/week or call 800-789-PENN (7366) to speak to a referral counselor.

Not usually. The overwhelming majority of seizures are either convulsions or brief alterations of consciousness during which movements are vague, non-threatening, and primitive. During these episodes, directed violence or any complex actions requiring organized thought are unlikely to occur. Clumsy, undirected violence is possible when people are restrained during a seizure, or during the period of confusion following a seizure.

If your dog has just started on medication, be patient. It frequently takes several adjustments in medications before the right dose and combination of medications are found. If your vet has tried both Phenobarbital and bromide and your dog still doesn't have good control, you should consider asking your vet for a referral to a veterinary neurologist who may try other second and third line medications.

Left untreated seizures may get worse over time. Studies have shown that early treatment of seizures results in better long term control of seizures. With early treatment, seizures should become less frequent and less severe.

Treatment of epileptic seizures is usually accomplished through medication management. Antiepileptic medications work by circulating in the blood stream at an optimal and steady therapeutic level to provide maximum seizure control. This therapeutic level is called the plasma drug level, and this level is routinely measured from an assay of the patient's blood. Steady plasma drug levels are best achieved by taking the antiepileptic medication as prescribed.

The seizure itself is usually not painful. Following a generalized, tonic-clonic seizure, however, some children may complain of muscle aches and a sore tongue. These complaints are related to the muscle jerking and tongue biting during the seizure.

Seizures are a symptom of epilepsy. Epilepsy is the underlying tendency of the brain to produce sudden bursts of electrical energy that disrupt other brain functions. Having a single seizure does not necessarily mean a person has epilepsy. High fever, severe head injury, lack of oxygen -- a number of factors can affect the brain enough to cause a single seizure.

A person with epilepsy can help control his or her seizures by taking the prescribed medication regularly, maintaining regular sleep cycles, avoiding unusual stress, and working closely with his or her physician. Regular medical evaluation and follow-up visits are also important. However, seizures may occur even when someone is doing everything he or she is supposed to.

It's important that prescribed antiseizure medicine is taken exactly as directed. Some medications such as ethosuximide and phenobarbital can be taken once a day. Other medications must be taken several times a day to be effective. If medication in the blood is too high or too low, it can fail to control seizures or it can produce unwanted side effects, such as an increase in seizure frequency. Keeping a seizure record can also be useful for diagnosis and following the effects of new treatment.

Single brief seizures do not cause brain damage. Although tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures, lasting longer than 20 minutes may injure the brain, there is no evidence that shorter seizures, lasting less than 20 minutes, cause permanent injury to the brain.

The overall life expectancy of people who have epilepsy EpilepsyA disorder characterized by transient but recurrent disturbances of brain function that may or may not be associated with impairment or loss of consciousness and abnormal movements or behavior.Closeis the same as for anybody else if they are otherwise pretty healthy. Some people whose epilepsy is caused by things like a stroke or a brain tumor may die sooner from those conditions, of course.

When a seizure occurs in a person who has epilepsy, and the seizure ends without injury after a minute or two, it is not usually considered a medical emergency, although the person should be asked a) if he or she has epilepsy, b) if he or she has fully recovered, and c) if he or she wants medical attention.

Epilepsy is not a mental illness. It is a temporary change in the electrical function of an otherwise normal brain. Some people with mental illness also have seizures, and some people with seizures also have mental illness, but the two conditions are not the same.

Seizures have a sudden beginning, a progression of symptoms, and a gradual recovery. Intoxication begins slowly and takes much longer to subside. Sometimes an intoxicated person will have a seizure, in which case there will be a strong odor of alcohol in addition to the seizure-cased behavior. In that case, the seizure will resolve, but return to full consciousness will not be as obvious. Whatever the cause, the seizure needs to be handled appropriately.

I am not aware of any evidence that seizures improve patients but it IS a sign of activity and therefore they may be a sign of recovery. Note that seizures may result from the withdrawal of drugs e.g. baclofen Ref Barker I, Grant IS. Convulsions after abrupt withdrawal of baclofen. Lancet 1982;ii:556-7. He also asked if when I recommended in my post that oxygen should be given post seizure if I meant be under hyperbaric conditions. Oxygen given immediately at high flow (i.e.

In general, seizures do not cause permanent brain damage. The brain has an amazing amount of unused capacity and even if cells are damaged during a seizure, your dog should have the ability to relearn. If your dog has had a cluster of severe seizures you may notice some changes in their behavior, but these should be temporary. Most dogs fully recover from seizures in a few days but for some it may take a few weeks.

Seizures are the result of abnormal brain activity and are common in severely head injured people. Seizures are not good for the brain and it is desireable to control them. Medicines such as penytoin (Dilantin) and phenobarbital are commonly used. Some people's seizures cannot be controlled by medicines and the best that can be done is to maintain the other bodily functions are best as possible to minimize any further brain injury from continued seizures.

Yes, there is a possibility that your child will remain seizure-free while taking medication. About two-thirds of all people with seizures achieve this goal. If the doctor says that your child's neurological exam is normal and there is no brain injury or abnormality, the chances are even greater. Individuals with the diagnosis of primary generalized epilepsy (especially primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures) have a high rate of seizure freedom.

There is no scientific evidence that video games cause epilepsy. It's possible that stress, fatigue, or hyperventilation (unusually fast or deep breathing) may trigger seizures during video games in some children with epilepsy. Video games also may trigger seizure activity in children with photosensitive epilepsy (seizures triggered by flashing lights or flickering images), but this affects only 3% of people with epilepsy.

A - As part of this inpatient evaluation, you will be tapered off your seizure medication and sleep deprivation may be required to induce seizures.

A - The percentages vary depending on your individual case and the type of surgery you have. Your doctor will discuss your case with you individually.

The symptoms of seizures are not always noticeable for on-lookers or for the person who is experiencing the seizure. Seizure may result in rigidity in the body, convulsions, chewing of the mouth, unusual behaviors, or loss of consciousness. Some symptoms may be less apparent, such as disorientation or unusual sensations. Milder symptoms do not mean that the seizure is of less importance.