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Differences Between Epilepsy & Seizures

Epilepsy causes seizures, but not all seizures are the result of epilepsy. Both conditions are characterized by interruptions in proper brain activity, but epilepsy is a condition in which seizures are spontaneously recurrent. As many as one of 100 people in the U.S. will have a seizure in their lifetime, but only 1 percent of Americans have epilepsy.

  1. Epilepsy

    • Epilepsy is a disorder in which electrical brain signals are interrupted, causing a person to have convulsions or seizures.

    Epilepsy Causes

    • Causes of epilepsy can include head trauma, dementia, medical disorders such as stroke, developmental disorders such as autism, diseases such as meningitis, prenatal injury, and a family history of the condition.

    Epilepsy Symptoms

    • Symptoms of epileptic seizure can vary from person to person but usually include temporary confusion, uncontrollable jerking, staring, and a loss of consciousness.

    Seizure

    • A seizure occurs when abnormal electrical signals are sent to part of the brain, interrupting the brain's normal electrical function.

    Seizure Causes

    • Causes of seizure include fever, infection, trauma, stroke, brain tumor, drug withdrawal, congenital or genetic factors, progressive brain disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

    Seizure Symptoms

    • Seizure symptoms include staring, appearing confused, rapid eye blinking, breathing problems, arms and legs jerking, body stiffening, and loss of consciousness.

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