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Epilepsy/Seizure

Epilepsy is treated at Upstate Neurology's Epilepsy Center.

About Epilepsy

Epilepsy causes brief changes in the electrical activity of the brain. Clumps of nerve cells in the brain (neurons) message each other much faster than they should. These are called seizures.

During seizures neurons fire as many as 500 times per second instead of about 80 times per second. This can cause strange feelings, emotions, and actions. It can also cause shaking, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness.

Neurons in Nerve Tissue
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A person may be diagnosed with epilepsy after a person has a seizure more than one time without a cause that could have been prevented.

Epilepsy may be from:

In many people, the cause is not known.

References

  • Epilepsy in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/epilepsy-in-adults.
  • Epilepsy in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/epilepsy-in-children.
  • Epilepsy information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Epilepsy-Information-Page.
  • Seizure disorders. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/seizure-disorders/seizure-disorders.
  • What is epilepsy? Epilepsy Foundation website. Available at: http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy/what-epilepsy.
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