Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures.
People with epilepsy have brain cells that create abnormal electricity, causing seizures. The seizures happen when clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain send out the wrong signals. They are often symptoms of an underlying illness.
Epilepsy has many possible causes, including illness, brain injury and abnormal brain development. In many cases, the cause is unknown. Seizures resulting from systemic and metabolic disturbances are not considered epilepsy if the seizures ceases when the underlying problem is corrected. In adults, metabolic disturbances causing seizures include acidosis, electrolyte imbalances, hypoglycaemia, hypoxia, alcohol and barbiturate withdrawal, dehydrating and water intoxication (Lewis et al, 2007).
The most common causes of seizure disorder during the first 6 months of life are sever birth injury, congenital defects and infections. Between 2-20 years of age primary causative factors are birth injury, infection, trauma and genetic factors. After 50 years of age the primary causes of seizures are cerebrovascular lesions and metastatic brain tumours. The role of hereditary in the etiology of seizure disorder has been difficult to determine because of the problem of separating hereditary from environment or acquired influences (Lewis et al, 2004). Epilepsy is not a mental illness, and it is not a sign of low intelligence. It is also not contagious.
Between seizures, a person with epilepsy is no different from anyone else.
Reference
Lewis, S., Heitkemper, M., & Dirkson, S. (2007). Medical-Surgical nursing in Canada:
Assessment and management of clinical problems (1st ed.). Toronto: Elsevier
Canada