A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It affects people of all ages and can significantly impact daily life if not properly managed with medication or other treatments.
From Greek 'epilepsia' meaning 'to seize upon' or 'to attack,' derived from 'epi' (upon) and 'lambanein' (to take hold). Ancient Greeks believed the condition was caused by divine possession or attack.
Epilepsy affects the same number of people as breast cancer, yet it remains heavily stigmatized despite being highly treatable! The brain normally has about 86 billion neurons firing in organized patterns, but during a seizure, groups of neurons fire synchronously like an electrical storm, temporarily disrupting normal brain function.
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