Epilepsy is a chronic, neurological, spectrum disorder that manifests through recurrent and uninitiated seizures, which can cause other health complications. The disorder is highly misunderstood, and as a result, patients are usually isolated, misjudged, and denied employment. Epilepsy is characterized by a wide range of causes, symptoms, and types of seizures. Government statistics have shown that the condition affects approximately 65 million people globally, with 3 million cases reported in the United States. Epilepsy is a chronic disease that causes seizures and that can be managed through medications, brain surgery, and a ketogenic diet. Description of the Disorder Epilepsy is characterized by unprovoked seizures that are either partial or generalized. As mentioned earlier, the disorder affects about 65 million people globally, and 3 million people in the United States (Pierce, 2018). It is more prevalent among young people and older adults. In addition, it is more common in males than females (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2019). Statistics show that 1 in every 26 people develop epilepsy at one point in their life. Approximately 1 in 100 people in the United States report experiencing a seizure or an epilepsy diagnosis (Pierce, 2018). Seizures are more rampant among children and older people, and incidence varies with race and geographic region. In children, the disorder develops during the first year of life and its incidence decreases as the children approach puberty. The incidence of the disorder decreases and stabilizes, but increases after the age of 55. Risk factors among older people include stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Causes The main cause of epilepsy has not been determined. However, research studies have identified several potential causes. These include traumatic brain injury, vascular diseases, brain tumors or cysts, infectious diseases, stroke, genetic disorders, and maternal drug use (Pietrangelo, 2017). Brain infections and a lack of oxygen during birth are also possible causes. In certain cases, research has shown that heredity is a causative factor. The chances of developing epilepsy are higher in people with epileptic parents than in people with non-epileptic parents (Pierce, 2018). Research has suggested that in many cases, hereditary factors only play a minor role in the development of the disorder. A major consequence of genetics is the increased susceptibility to seizures due to certain environmental triggers (Spencer, 2017). The most common triggers for epilepsy are insufficient sleep, psychological stress, hormonal changes, missed medication, excessive alcohol consumption, and the use of recreational drugs (Mula, 2016). Types and Risk Factors Types of epilepsy that are associated with genetics include childhood absence epilepsy, juvenile absence epilepsy, autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy, familial temporal lobe epilepsy, and epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures (Pierce, 2018). The risk factors of epilepsy include age, dementia, family history, birth factors, cerebral palsy, brain tumors, autism spectrum disorder, history of head injuries, and seizures during childhood (Pietrangelo, 2017). Signs and Symptoms Signs of epilepsy include whole-body fatigue, headaches, staring spells, drowsiness, amnesia, and te