Overview By Mayo Clinic Staff Print Epilepsy — also known as a seizure disorder — is a brain condition that causes recurring seizures. There are many types of epilepsy. In some people, the cause can be identified. In others, the cause is not known. Epilepsy is common. It's estimated that 1.2% of people in the United States have active epilepsy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epilepsy affects people of all genders, races, ethnic backgrounds and ages. Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people may lose awareness during a seizure while others don't. Some people stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure. Others may repeatedly twitch their arms or legs, movements known as convulsions. Having a single seizure doesn't mean you have epilepsy. Epilepsy is diagnosed if you've had at least two unprovoked seizures at least 24 hours apart. Unprovoked seizures don't have a clear cause. Treatment with medicines or sometimes surgery can control seizures for most people with epilepsy. Some people require lifelong treatment. For others, seizures go away. Some children with epilepsy may outgrow the condition with age. Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Oct. 14, 2023 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Epilepsy and seizures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/epilepsy-and-seizures. Accessed Aug. 14, 2023. Schachter SC. Evaluation and management of the first seizure in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 3, 2021. Get seizure smart. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/communications/features/firstaid.htm. Accessed Aug. 10, 2023. Jankovic J, et al., eds. Epilepsies. In: Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 27, 2023. Wilfong A. 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