"Epilepsy is a disorder that disrupts the transmission of electrical signals inside the brain. Although you may assume that epilepsy always causes episodes of uncontrolled movements and loss of consciousness, the condition is actually quite variable. Symptom episodes — known as seizures — are often subtle, causing strange sensations, emotions and behavior. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds when having a seizure, while others have full-fledged convulsions.

About one in 100 people in the United States has experienced an unprovoked seizure at some point in life. However, a solitary seizure doesn't mean you have epilepsy. Many people — for example, children with high fevers — experience one seizure and then never have another one. But after you've had two seizures, the chance that you'll have additional seizures increases dramatically. At least two unprovoked seizures are required for a diagnosis of epilepsy.

The onset of epilepsy is most common during childhood and after age 65, but the condition can occur at any age. Treatments may leave you free of seizures, or at least reduce their frequency and intensity. Many children with epilepsy even outgrow the condition with age.

Partial seizures
• Simple partial seizures. These seizures don't result in loss of consciousness. They may alter emotions or change the way things look, smell, feel, taste or sound.
• Complex partial seizures. These seizures alter consciousness, causing you to lose awareness for a period of time. Complex partial seizures often result in staring and nonpurposeful movements — such as hand rubbing, lip smacking, arm positioning, vocalization or swallowing.

Generalized seizures
• Absence seizures (petit mal). These seizures are characterized by staring, subtle body movement and brief lapses of awareness.
• Myoclonic seizures. These seizures usually appear as sudden jerks of your arms and legs.
• Atonic seizures. Also known as drop attacks, these seizures cause you to suddenly collapse or fall down.
• Tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal). The most intense of all types of seizures, these are characterized by a loss of consciousness, body stiffening and shaking, and sometimes tongue biting or loss of bladder control.

Having a known diagnosis of epilepsy may not mean you need to seek medical help each time you have a seizure, as long as you and your family members are well versed in what to do when a seizure occurs. Seek medical advice if you experience a seizure for the first time. Also, seek medical help if any of the following occur:
• The seizure lasts more than five minutes.
• Recovery from your seizure is slow.
• A second seizure follows immediately.
• You're pregnant or have diabetes.
• Your seizures change in frequency and severity.
• There's a change in the way you feel during and after the seizures.
• Your seizure is preceded by a sudden, severe headache or other symptoms or signs of stroke — including weakness or numbness on one side of your body, vision loss, confusion, and coordination or speech problems.

As with many chronic conditions, maintaining your overall health is an important step in controlling epilepsy. Sleep deprivation is a powerful trigger of seizures. Be sure to get adequate rest every night, and make a conscious effort to eat a balanced diet, exercise and manage stress effectively." Source: Mayoclinic.com