November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, which makes this a good time to learn about the causes of and risk factors for epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects about 3.4 million people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epilepsy affects both males and females of all races, ethnic backgrounds and ages. Anyone can develop epilepsy.
With epilepsy, brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, unusual sensations and sometimes loss of awareness. Seizures can affect any process your brain coordinates. Signs and symptoms of seizures can include temporary confusion, staring, uncontrollable jerking movements of the limbs, and loss of consciousness or awareness.
