Seventy-five percent of new cases begin in childhood. However, the percentage of seniors developing epilepsy is increasing. There are at least 20 different kinds of seizures. Poisoning , such as lead and mercury poisoning, improper use of pesticides, alcohol, drugs. Heredity plays a minor role in some cases of epilepsy.
Most epilepsy is treated with medication taken by mouth.
Surgery is sometimes used to help those who do not respond to drug therapy. Surgery to remove brain tissue can be used only when the brain tissue causing the seizures is confined to one area of the brain which can be easily removed without damaging function or personality. Research suggests that thousands of Americans, particularly children, continue to live with uncontrolled seizures because their medical condition has not been diagnosed or has been misdiagnosed. Without treatment there is a danger of a more severe seizure disorder developing in the future . The public is apprehensive about epilepsy and in general doubts the competence of people with epilepsy.