Epilepsy is a condition in which seizures occur again and again. In most cases of epilepsy, there is no specific acute cause. Instead, perhaps a minor brain injury in the period surrounding birth or an inherited tendency towards having seizures produces the episodes. Sometimes, head trauma or an infection that affected the brain (meningitis or encephalitis) at an earlier age produces slight scarring of the brain, with resulting seizures. Treatment with anti-epileptic medications usually eliminates seizures or reduces their frequency. Most people with epilepsy feel relatively well between episodes, and lead normal lives.

For more information on other epilepsy-related conditions, please click topics of interest listed on the left.