1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Pediatrics

The Effects of Epilepsy

Epileptics experience periodic, involuntary seizures. Learn more about how epilepsy affects sufferers and what happens during a seizure.

Transcript: The Effects of Epilepsy

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a seizure disorder in which there is a sudden, temporary change in how the brain functions.

Healthy Brain Functioning

The healthy brain is made up of millions of interconnecting nerve cells called neurons. These cells are constantly communicating with each other by sending signals through tentacle-like connections called axons and dendrites.

The Brain During an Epileptic Seizure

Neurons normally generate impulses up to 80 times a second. During an epileptic seizure, that rate can increase to up to 500 times a second.

What Happens During an Epileptic Seizure?

Epileptic seizures may result in blackouts, involuntary movement of the arms and legs, and distorted perceptions. When the impulse rate returns to normal, the seizure ends and the patient is generally left with a feeling of extreme fatigue.

Types of Epilepsy

There are many different forms of epilepsy, and management depends on correct diagnosis.

Treating Epilepsy

Epilepsy can be a lifelong condition that can result in serious complications. Persons with epilepsy need to be managed and monitored by a physician.

Copyrighted animations provided by Blausen Medical.

FREE Newsletters

Want to Make Videos? Tell Us!

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Pediatrics

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.