What Every Family Should Know About Epilepsy: Causes, Myths & Treatment
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes repeated seizures. A seizure happens when brain signals get disrupted. It can make a person lose awareness, twitch, or even fall. Some seizures last for a few seconds. Others go on for minutes. Not all seizures look the same. What causes epilepsy? There isn’t just one cause. In some people, epilepsy starts after a brain injury or infection. In others, it’s linked to genetics. Sometimes, doctors never find a clear reason. That doesn’t mean it’s anyone’s fault. It just means the brain’s normal activity changes in a way that leads to seizures. Some known causes include: Head trauma (like after a car crash) Stroke Brain tumors High fever in children (febrile seizures) Lack of oxygen at birth In older adults, stroke is a major cause. In kids, it’s often unexplained. Common myths about epilepsy Myth 1: It’s a mental illness. Epilepsy is a neurological condition. It’s not a mental disorder. The brain’s electrical signals are th...