epilepsy.comThe latest epilepsy and seizure news from the Epilepsy Foundation of America

Skip to main content epilepsy .com -- Sign In -- -- Sign In -- Sign In | Register find us find us -- donate Epilepsy Foundation -- Learn Living with Epilepsy Make A Difference Connect Search form Search Learn About Epilepsy: The Basics What is Epilepsy? A Revised Definition of Epilepsy What is a Seizure? What Happens During a Seizure? Who Gets Epilepsy? What Causes a Seizure? What Are the Risk Factors? Is Epilepsy Inherited? Will I Always Have Epilepsy? How Serious Are Seizures? Seizures in Adults Diagnosing Epilepsy in Adults Treating Epilepsy in Adults Quality Care and Quality of Life Facts about Seizures and Epilepsy Types of Seizures Focal Aware Seizures Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures Bilateral Tonic-clonic Seizures Absence Seizures Atypical Absence Seizures Tonic-clonic Seizures Atonic Seizures Clonic Seizures Tonic Seizures Myoclonic Seizures Gelastic and Dacrystic Seizures Febrile Seizures Refractory Seizures New Terms for Seizure Classification Types of Epilepsy Syndromes Reflex Epilepsies Sunflower Syndrome - A Photosensitive Epilepsy Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsies Panayiotopoulos Syndrome Ohtahara Syndrome Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) Landau-Kleffner Syndrome Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Juvenile Absence Epilepsy Infantile Spasms (West Syndrome) Frontal Lobe Epilepsy FIRES: Febrile Illness-Related Epilepsy Syndrome Epileptic Encephalopathy With Continuous Spike and Wave During Sleep (CSWS) Epilepsy with Myoclonic-Absences Epilepsy with Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures Alone Epilepsy with Eyelid Myoclonia (Jeavons Syndrome) Epilepsy in Infancy with Migrating Focal Seizures Early Myoclonic Encephalopathy (EME) Dravet Syndrome Doose Syndrome Childhood Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes aka Benign Rolandic Epilepsy Childhood Absence Epilepsy Autosomal Dominant Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy (ADNFLE) Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Epilepsy Due to Specific Causes Genetics: The Basics Epilepsy and Genes Genetic Counseling Genetic Testing and Epilepsy Specific Genetic Epilepsies Angelman Syndrome CDKL5 Disorder PCDH19 Epilepsy Ring Chromosome 20 Syndrome SCN8A-Related Epilepsy TBCK-related ID Syndrome Genetics Resources Specific Structural Epilepsies Hypothalamic Hamartoma Diagnosis Treatment Incontinentia Pigmenti Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Seizures and Multiple Sclerosis Sturge Weber Syndrome (Encephalotrigeminal Angiomatosis) Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Specific Metabolic Epilepsies Glut1 Deficiency Syndrome (SLC2A1) Autoimmune Epilepsy Autoimmune Epilepsies: Signs and Symptoms Autoimmune Testing Treating Autoimmune Epilepsy Specific Autoimmune Epilepsies Rasmussen's Syndrome Specific Infections Associated with Epilepsy Triggers of Seizures Missed Medicines Lack of Sleep and Epilepsy Stress and Epilepsy Alcohol Drug Abuse Menstruation Photosensitivity and Epilepsy Other Illnesses Over-The-Counter Medications Nutritional Deficiencies Diagnosis Is this a seizure? Diagnosis 101 Why See a Doctor? What Kind of Doctor is Best? What Will the Doctor Do? What Tests Are Needed? Why Is My Doctor Ordering Other Tests to Evaluate My Seizures? What If It's Not Epilepsy? You and Your Healthcare Team Visiting The Doctor Nurses Physician Assistants EEG Technologists Neuropsychologists Psychologists Social Workers And Counselors Psychiatrists Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Pharmacists Occupational Therapists Second Opinions Medical History Physical Exam Neurological Exam EEG What If It's Normal? Procedure Which EEG type is best for you? Ambulatory EEG Video EEG Dry Electrode Headset Where It's Performed Special Electrodes How to Read an EEG Looking at the Brain Computed Tomography (CT) MRI Why it's Performed MRI Procedure SPECT PET MEG (magnetoencephalography) Imitators of Epilepsy Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures (PNES): Cause, Diagnosis and Treatment FAQ: Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures or Events Treating Seizures and Epilepsy Treatment 101: The Basics What’s First? What You Need To Do If First Medicine Doesn't Work When Medicines Do Not Work Seizure Medications List Seizure and Epilepsy Medicines First Seizure Choosing a First Medicine Medications in Children Finding the Best Dosage How Medicines Work How Long Until It Works? Blood Testing Common Concerns Importance of Adherence Side Effects Drug Interactions Stopping Medication How to Read A Package Insert Treatment Guidelines Seizure Medications and Pregnancy Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry Seizure Rescue Therapies Oral Rescue Medicines Nasal Rescue Medicines Rectal Rescue Therapies VNS Therapy 101 Building VNS Therapy into Seizure First Aid Using the VNS Magnet to Stop Seizures Using the VNS Magnet to Turn Off Stimulation Safety Tips for VNS Magnet Use Treatments of Status Epilepticus and Cluster Seizures: Available and Emerging Therapies Surgery Overview of Epilepsy Surgery The Epilepsy Center Who can surgery help? Impact of Early Epilepsy Surgery Interview with Megan about Her Family's Surgery Story Goals and Expectations Risks and Benefits Tests Before Surgery Video EEG Monitoring with Invasive Electrodes Brain Mapping: Electrical Stimulation Wada Test Types of Epilepsy Surgery LITT (Thermal Ablation) Preparing for Surgery Recovery and Life After Surgery Preparing for and Recovery After Your Child’s Epilepsy Surgery Epilepsy Surgery: Fast Facts Dietary Therapies Ketogenic Diet KetoNews Modified Atkins Diet Low Glycemic Index Treatment MCT (Medium Chain Triglyceride) Diet Devices Vagus Nerve Stimulation Placement, Programming and Safety of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Responsive Neurostimulation Placement, Programming and Safety of Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) Deep Brain Stimulation Placement, Programming and Safety of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) External Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation Other Treatment Approaches Medical Marijuana and Epilepsy True or False Quiz: 10 Things to Know about Medical Cannabis 2017 Glossary of Cannabinoid Terms Herbal Therapy Clinical Trials Seizure First Aid and Safety First Aid for Seizures - Stay, Safe, Side Videos to Learn Seizure First Aid First Aid Resources Adapting First Aid Plans First Aid for Focal Aware (simple partial) Seizures First Aid for Focal Impaired Awareness (complex partial) Seizures First Aid for Absence Seizures First Aid for Atonic and Tonic Seizures First Aid for Tonic-Clonic Seizures Seizures in Water Seizures in Airplanes What Else Can I Do to Help? Responding to Seizures Using Rescue Medications Using VNS Magnet Getting Emergency Help Help After a Seizure Staying Safe Recognizing Risks Types of Injuries Safety at Home Safety While Sleeping Safety in the Kitchen Safety at Work Safety with Exercise and Sports Safety at Camp Infographic Preparing for Severe Weather and Other Emergencies and the Aftermath Fall Safely Seizure Dogs Seizure Dogs: Q&A Seizure Dogs: Children and Parent Partners Personal Experience with a Seizure Dog: A conversation with Allison and Carol Personal Story of a Seizure Dog: Spencer and Lucia Perspective: Training Seizure Dogs General Rights of Individuals with Service Animals Managing Your Epilepsy Managing My Seizures 101 Epilepsy Self Management My Health Care Team Working With Your Epilepsy Team Staying in Touch with Your Health Care Team Assessing My Readiness, Risks And Needs Setting Priorities And Taking Actions Managing Your Child’s Epilepsy My Seizures Know More #DareTo Go the Distance A Seizure is Suspected: Getting Diagnosed A Seizure is Suspected: Your Role Creating My Health Care Team At the Beginning of Your Treatment Journey When Seizures Persist or Side Effects are a Problem Managing Your Epilepsy Finding Help and Support on Your Journey Quality Care in Epilepsy How Do I Know I Am Getting the Best Care First Diagnosed If Seizures Do Not Stop and Medication Side Effects Women of Child‐bearing Age Questions to Ask Your Doctor Managing Continued Seizures The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center Understanding Seizures and Emergencies Warning Signs of Seizures Importance of Preventing Seizures and Ot...