Many are triggered by accidents and illnesses. Major causes are head injuries, tumors and circulatory problems. Males are slightly more likely to have epilepsy than females - perhaps because they're more likely to have head injuries in sports and work. Heredity usually is not a direct factor in epilepsy. But some kinds of brain wave patterns associated with seizures do tend to run in families.
Generalized seizures begin with a discharge of neurons throughout the brain .
Cause loss of consciousness and stiffening of body, followed by violent jerking of limbs and irregular breathing. Usually last 1 to 2 minutes. Most common in children ages 6 to 14. Attacks last only a few seconds. Partial seizures begin with a discharge of neurons in just one part of the brain.