Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain and is characterized by body seizures. A person with epilepsy has a brain in which clusters of cells called neurons don't send correct electrical signals.
Seizure
An epileptic seizure can be characterized by jerking motions and uncontrolled movements, but it can also be less pronounced, resulting in muscle spasms, staring or a period of confusion.
Repeated Seizures
A single seizure is not considered a sign of epilepsy. People with epilepsy have repeated seizures.
Scope
The number of Americans with epilepsy is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 2 1/2 million.
Causes
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, most cases of epilepsy have no known cause, but in about 30 percent of cases, the cause can be traced to an event such as head trauma, stroke, infection or tumor.
Genetic Predisposition
The National Center for Biotechnology Information cites 12 forms of epilepsy that have a genetic basis, suggesting some people are more predisposed genetically to acquiring the disorder.
