What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is diagnosed when someone has had two or more unprovoked seizures, or one seizure with a high risk of recurrence based on brain imaging or an EEG. A seizure happens when brain cells send abnormal electrical signals, temporarily disrupting normal brain function.
What are the symptoms of epilepsy?
Symptoms vary widely depending on seizure type:
- Focal seizures: unusual sensations, a brief pause in awareness, repetitive movements, or a strange taste/smell — sometimes mistaken for daydreaming.
- Generalized seizures: loss of consciousness with stiffening and jerking movements (tonic-clonic), brief staring spells (absence seizures), or sudden muscle jerks (myoclonic).
- After a seizure: confusion, fatigue, or headache lasting minutes to hours.
What causes epilepsy?
- Genetic factors, in some cases running in families.
- Brain injury from trauma, stroke, or infection.
- Structural brain differences present from birth.
- In many cases, no clear cause is ever identified.
How is epilepsy diagnosed?
An EEG (electroencephalogram) records brain electrical activity to identify patterns associated with seizures. Brain imaging (MRI) looks for structural causes. A detailed description of what happened before, during, and after the event — ideally from someone who witnessed it — is often the most valuable diagnostic tool.
What is the treatment for epilepsy?
- Anti-seizure medication is the first-line treatment, often achieving full seizure control; finding the right medication and dose can take some adjustment.
- For seizures that don’t respond to medication, options include dietary therapy, specific devices, or surgery in select cases.
- Ongoing monitoring adjusts treatment as needed and tracks any side effects.
Everything under one roof
EEG, brain imaging, neurology consultation, and emergency care for a prolonged seizure are all available at Hospital CMQ.
Had a first seizure or need a neurology consultation? Message us on WhatsApp.
When is a seizure a medical emergency?
Call for emergency help if a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, if a second seizure follows before the person regains consciousness, if breathing doesn’t resume normally afterward, or if it’s someone’s first-ever seizure.
How can seizures be managed day to day?
- Take medication exactly as prescribed — missed doses are a common trigger for breakthrough seizures.
- Get consistent sleep, since sleep deprivation can lower seizure threshold.
- Identify and avoid personal triggers (certain lights, alcohol, missed meals) if your doctor has flagged them.
- Wear medical identification if you have a diagnosed seizure disorder.
Reviewed by: Dra. Itzel Aguayo, General Medicine, and Dr. David Hernández, Internal Medicine, Hospital CMQ. Review date: July 2026. References: World Health Organization (WHO), Mayo Clinic, Epilepsy Foundation.