Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, MD, of the UPMC Department of Neurology, specializes in the medical management of epilepsy and serves as the director of critical care continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring.
Dr. Fong discusses the crucial differences between epilepsy and seizures, offers guidance on recognizing and responding to seizures, and explains the causes and diagnostic methods for epilepsy.
What are the differences between epilepsy and a seizure?
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in the world and affects about one in 26 people. It is essential to distinguish between epilepsy and a seizure.
A seizure is a clinical symptom related to an abnormal surge of activity in the brain. To be diagnosed with epilepsy, one needs to have recurrent seizures. In fact, someone needs to have at least two seizures in their lifetime to be diagnosed with epilepsy. Seizures are very common and can occur in about one in 10 people at some point in their lives.
What are the warning signs of a seizure?
Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Generalized seizures, caused by abnormal surges of brain activity across the entire brain, are marked by a rapid loss of awareness or consciousness. The person may experience violent convulsions, brief periods of staring, sudden jerking movements, or drop attacks.
In contrast, focal seizures, which occur in a specific region of the brain, may have subtler symptoms. These can include changes in sensation, sudden emotional shifts, altered perception of reality and memory, changes in temperature sensation, heart rate, breathing, or perspiration. Recognizing these signs is important for timely intervention and diagnosis.
What causes epilepsy?
Genetics is the primary cause of epilepsy, but other causes can also contribute. These include traumatic brain injuries, strokes, brain bleeds, brain tumors, brain infections such as meningitis and encephalitis, and congenital brain abnormalities.
Metabolic imbalances, such as low blood sugar or sodium levels, liver and kidney dysfunctions, and autoimmune diseases that attack the brain, can also provoke seizures or epilepsy. Understanding these causes is vital for effective diagnosis and treatment.
How do doctors diagnose seizures and epilepsy?
Diagnosing seizures and epilepsy involves taking a comprehensive clinical history and identifying potential triggers, such as sleep deprivation, substance withdrawal, or metabolic imbalances. Blood tests and electroencephalogram (EEG), or “brain wave tests,” are vital in diagnosing and understanding the underlying causes of seizures.
Imaging studies, such as CT and MRI scans, are often used to assist in the diagnosis, helping identify structural abnormalities in the brain that may contribute to seizures.
What do I do if someone is having a seizure?
If you witness a seizure, remain calm and follow these steps:
- Look for a medical identifier on the person.
- Time the seizure and observe the symptoms.
- Cushion the person’s head and clear the surrounding area of dangerous objects.
- Avoid restraining the person to prevent injuries.
- Avoid putting objects inside the person’s mouth.
Call 911 if:
- The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
- The person has multiple seizures without regaining consciousness.
- There are breathing difficulties or a change in skin color.
- The person has no known medical history of seizures.
- There is an injury from the seizure.
Neurology Care, Close to Home
The UPMC Comprehensive Epilepsy Center has received the highest ranking available (level 4) from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers.
To make an appointment or learn about our services, call 833-765-0659.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .