For Epilepsy

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that occurs when clusters of nerve cells in the brain called neurons don't signal correctly. Instead, they allow brief, strong surges of electrical activity to affect part or all of the brain.

When normal brain electrical activity is disturbed during epilepsy, the result can be unusual sensations and emotions, muscle spasms, seizures and loss of consciousness. (That's why epilepsy is also known as a seizure disorder.)

Seizures, however, can be caused by other conditions such as a high fever or brain injury. It's not until an individual has had two or more seizures that the person is considered to have epilepsy.

If you or someone you know has epilepsy, you are not alone. An estimated 3 million Americans are thought to have the condition.

The good news is that epilepsy is treatable –– and individuals with seizures could lead full, productive lives.

What Causes Epilepsy?

Epilepsy may result from a number of causes. The disorder may develop from an abnormality in brain wiring. Seizures also may result from imbalances in the "nerve signaling" chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters communicate signals between neurons in the brain and other cells in the body. When neurotransmitters over stimulate the brain's signals, seizures may occur.

Epilepsy also may be a combination of these factors.

Specific causes of epilepsy may include:

Head injuries
Brain tumors, both cancerous and benign (noncancerous)
Lead poisoning
Stroke
Central nervous system infections such as encephalitis and meningitis
Alcohol withdrawal
Certain genetic (inherited) diseases such as Sturge-Weber syndrome

Up to 70% of patients with seizures have epilepsy of an unknown cause (called idiopathic). Diagnostic tests are not yet sensitive or specific enough to determine the underlying cause.

Types of seizures

There are many different types of seizures, which vary depending on the part of the brain that is affected, and how much of the brain is disturbed. Individuals also may experience one or more than one type of seizure.

Most seizures last only a few minutes, but individuals can be confused afterwards for a longer period of time.

Seizures are divided into these general types:

Generalized seizures

Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain. They produce loss of consciousness. Subcategories include:

Generalized tonic clonic seizures (grand mal seizures). These are the most common, best known type of generalized seizures. They begin with stiffening of arms and legs (the tonic phase), followed by jerking of arms, legs and face (the clonic phase).
Atonic seizures. These seizures produce an abrupt loss of muscle tone, resulting in a drooping head and/or a fall.
Absence seizures (petit mal seizures). These seizures involve a lapse in awareness. They begin and end suddenly and last only a few seconds.
Myoclonic seizures. These seizures are rapid, brief muscle contractions, usually occurring at the same time on both sides of the body.

Partial seizures

Partial seizures are the most common type of seizure experienced by individuals with epilepsy. Symptoms include nearly any type of movement, sensory perception or emotional perception –– including elaborate visual or auditory hallucinations.

In partial seizures, the electrical disturbance is limited to a specific area of one side of the brain. Partial seizures include:

Simple partial seizure. There is no loss of consciousness.
Complex partial seizures. There is partial or complete loss of consciousness.

Status epilepticus

Status epilepticus seizures are continuous seizures. Status epilepticus is usually defined as 30 minutes of uninterrupted seizure activity.

Call 911 when a seizure continues for more than 5 minutes without sign of stopping.

Epilepsy triggers

Certain things can trigger seizures in individuals with epilepsy. They include:

Photosensitivity. Exposure to intense flashing lights can trigger seizures in some individuals.
Hormone fluctuations. Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can trigger seizures in some women. This is called catamenial epilepsy.
Sleep patterns. Insufficient or disturbed sleep can be a trigger for seizures in some individuals.
Foods and beverages. Coffee, tea and some soft drinks contain caffeine and can trigger seizures in some individuals. Other individuals are susceptible to seizures if missing a meal results in a low blood sugar (glucose) level.
Alcohol and drugs. Large amounts of alcohol raise the risk of seizures and may cause them. Most illegal drugs, especially stimulants such as cocaine, crack, PCP and speed cause seizures and may interact dangerously with prescription medicines.

Bipolar disorder and epilepsy

Mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, a condition characterized by manic and depressive symptoms, occur more frequently in individuals with epilepsy.

Learn more about bipolar disorder

How is epilepsy diagnosed

When seizures occur, your doctor will take a thorough medical history and ask you about the seizures and what happened just prior to the event. Understanding the timing and type of seizures can help understand their cause and your optimal treatment options. Your doctor will also perform a thorough physical exam.

Diagnostic testing will typically include EEGs (electroencephalographs) and brain scans:

EEGs provide a record of electrical activity in the brain.
Other imaging methods such as CT (computerized tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans may be used to search for growths, scars or other physical conditions causing the seizures.

How is epilepsy treated?

Once epilepsy is diagnosed, immediate treatment is key. The good news is that seizures can be controlled in about 80% of individuals diagnosed with epilepsy.

Your doctor will discuss the best treatment options for your type of epilepsy. Antiseizure (anti-epileptic) medications are usually the first treatment option.

If medications aren't successful at controlling seizures, surgery or vagus nerve stimulation therapy may be tried.

Treatment with medications

An estimated 75% to 80% of patients with generalized epilepsy have reliable, long–term control of seizures with currently available medications. Talk to your doctor about which epilepsy medication may be best for you.

Formulation for epilepsy treatment, STAVZOR provides the proven efficacy of valproate in a soft gel capsule that's up to 40% smaller than other valproate medication(500 mg dosage formulation).
Learn more about a form of valproate that comes in an easy-to-swallow soft gel capsule that patients prefer.

As many as half of individuals with epilepsy don't take medication as prescribed. Taking your medication as your doctor prescribes may help prevent seizures.

Treatment with surgery

Surgery for epilepsy is usually done by a specialized medical team that includes neurosurgeons experienced in the procedure. The surgeon typically removes a small part of the brain where seizures begin.

Treatment with vagus nerve stimulation

Vagus nerve stimulation is a recently FDA-approved therapy in which an electrical device is implanted in an individual's shoulder. It sends electric impulses to stimulate a cranial nerve in the neck called the vagus nerve.

Learn more about how STAVZOR could help control epilepsy

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