Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain resulting in the tendency to have seizures.
Epilepsy is sometimes called a seizure disorder. Back to top How many people have epilepsy Approximately 1 percent of the population, about 2.5 million people in the US, has epilepsy. In more than 70 percent of all cases, no cause can be found. Among the rest, epilepsy may be caused by head injuries, strokes, brain tumors, genetic conditions, or lead poisoning. Epilepsy can be prevented by reducing risks of injury or by developing new vaccines to prevent seizure-producing illnesses.