A seizure is a strong surge of electricity that can affect all or part of the brain and can last seconds to several minutes. If an individual has two unprovoked seizures they are considered to have epilepsy. Symptoms can vary from a seizure showing the convulsive jerking of a tonic/clonic seizure to one that only exhibits staring off for a few seconds, called an absence seizure . There are many different types of seizures. Epileptic seizures are caused by abnormal electrical changes in the brain, in particular, the outer brain layer or cortex. For additional information on epilepsy go to www.epilepsyfoundation.org/
Seizures can occur while awake or during sleep and can last seconds or several minutes. Signs vary for different types of seizures and can include any listed below;