Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder are the same thing. Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system. Epilepsy is present when a person has recurrent seizures.
A seizure is a temporary brain malfunction that results from the abnormal electrical discharge of groups of nerve cells in the brain.
More than 3 million Americans have epilepsy.
In more than 7 out of every 10 cases of epilepsy, no cause can be found. Among known causes are: head injuries, strokes, brain tumors, genetic factors, poisoning, problems in brain development before birth, or serious illness that affects the brain, like encephalitis or meningitis. Among older people, epilepsy is most often caused by stroke, cardiovascular disease, brain tumors, or Alzheimer's disease.
People of all ages develop epilepsy, but it's most likely to begin in childhood or over the age of 65.
Clearly the biggest challenge for people with epilepsy is not the disorder itself, but the myths, misconceptions, and prejudices that surround it.
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