When the electrical signals return to normal, usually within a few seconds or a few minutes, the seizure stops. Epilepsy is characterized by recurring seizures. It is not contagious and usually not hereditary, although a predisposition to seizures may be apparent in certain families. Seizures may be triggered by repetitive sounds, flashing lights, or touch to certain parts of the body. Epileptic seizures affect about 2 million Americans of all races and religions, and both genders.
Seizures usually occur without warning and without the person's awareness of what is happening.
Some people with epilepsy will have only an occasional seizure, while others will have many on a daily basis. Many children will eventually outgrow their seizures. Having a single seizure does not necessarily mean that someone has epilepsy. There are several different types of seizures. Seizures are known as generalized seizures if the whole brain is misfiring, and partial seizures if only one part of the brain is affected.