What is epilepsy

Approximately 3 million Americans have epilepsy.¹ Epilepsy is a neurological condition that produces continuing seizures.² A seizure is an abnormal movement or behavior due to unusual electrical activity in the brain.² If a person has two or more unprovoked seizures (meaning the seizures do not have an obvious cause) they are considered to have epilepsy.¹ Seizures can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and have many symptoms, including:

• Convulsions
• Loss of consciousness
• Blank staring
• Lip smacking
• Jerking movements of arms and legs¹

Learn more about living with epilepsy »

References:

1. Epilepsy Foundation. What is Epilepsy. Available at http://epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/whatisepilepsy/index.cfm. Accessed on Feb. 14, 2012.

2. WebMD. Epilepsy Health Center. Available at http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/guide/understanding-seizures-and-epilepsy. Accessed Feb. 14, 2012.