What is Epilepsy?

 

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes the brain to produce sudden bursts of electrical energy.

 

What causes Epilepsy?

 

Epilepsy can result from a birth defect, birth or head injury, brain turmor, or infection in the brain.  It can also be inherited; for half of the people with epilepsy, a cause cannot be found. Epilepsy IS NOT contagious!  Epilepsy can occur for the first time at any time.

 

What is the difference between Seizures and Epilepsy?

 

Seizures are a symptom of epilepsy.  Epilepsy is the underlying tendency of the brain to release electrical energy that disrupts other brain functions, so the seizure is the symptom of this underlying condition.  Having a single seizure does not necessarily mean a person has epilepsy.