ABOUT EPILEPSY

What is a seizure?

The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that communicate through electrical and chemical signals. When there is a sudden excessive electrical discharge that disrupts the normal activity of the nerve cells, a change in the person’s behaviour or function may result. This abnormal activity in the brain that results in a change in the person’s behaviour or function is a seizure.

A seizure may take many different forms including a blank stare, muscle spasms, uncontrolled movements, altered awareness, odd sensations, or a convulsion. The form the seizure takes depends on where in the brain the excessive electrical activity occurs.