Epilepsy manifests in various forms, classified based on seizure type and underlying cause:

• Generalized Epilepsy: Affects both hemispheres of the brain, resulting in widespread symptoms like convulsions or absence seizures.

• Focal Epilepsy: Limited to one area of the brain, often causing localized symptoms, such as sensory changes or motor disruptions.

• Unknown Epilepsy: When the root cause of seizures cannot be determined, this classification is used.

When it comes to understanding neurological conditions, terms like “seizures” and “epilepsy” are often used interchangeably. However, these are distinct concepts, each with unique characteristics and implications.

When a person has had two or more seizures more than twenty-four hours apart that have not been provoked by specific events such as a stroke, brain injury, infection, fever, or fluctuations in blood sugar, they are considered to have epilepsy.

A person can also be diagnosed with epilepsy if they have one or more unprovoked seizures and a probability of future seizures.

A seizure is an electrical disturbance in the brain that interferes with its normal function. Many scientists and clinicians compare it to an “electrical storm in the brain” in which your brain cells hyper-synchronize in an abnormal pattern, disrupting that delicate brain signal balance.

Seizures vary from person-to-person, depending upon their seizure type. That’s because epilepsy is a spectrum disorder, meaning the causes, type, and severity can differ greatly amongst those affected by it.

Common types of seizures include:

• tonic-clonic seizure (previously called grand-mal)

• absence seizures (previously called petit mal)

• febrile seizures

• focal seizures

While the exact causes of epilepsy are varied and not entirely known, in general epilepsy and seizures result from abnormal signals from neurons (a type of brain cell) in the brain. It can be genetic, meaning it is the result of mutations in a person’s genes, or it can be acquired through events such as physical injury or infection[1]. In up to 50% of epilepsy cases worldwide, the cause is idiopathic, which means unknown

Some underlying causes of acquired epilepsy include:

• Brain structure abnormalities

• Head trauma

• Infectious disease

• Stroke

• Tumors

Epilepsy is more common than many people realize. It’s estimated that approximately 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point in their lives. This means that millions of individuals worldwide are affected by epilepsy, regardless of age, gender, or background. While the frequency of epilepsy varies depending on factors such as age group and geographic region, it is considered one of the most prevalent neurological disorders globally. Despite its prevalence, there is still a need for greater awareness, understanding, and support for individuals living with epilepsy and their families.

Children with epilepsy face unique challenges, as seizures can affect development and school performance.

• Academic Support: Teachers and peers should be informed about the condition to provide necessary support.

• Behavioral Therapy: Helps children adapt and manage emotional responses.

• Family Counseling: Assists families in understanding epilepsy and coping with its impacts.