Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal,

causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness.

Anyone can develop epilepsy. Epilepsy affects both males and females of all races, ethnic backgrounds
and ages.

Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds
during a seizure, while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs. Having a single seizure doesn't mean
you have epilepsy. At least two unprovoked seizures are generally required for an epilepsy diagnosis.

Treatment with medications or sometimes surgery can control seizures for the majority of people with
epilepsy. Some people require lifelong treatment to control seizures, but for others, the seizures eventually
go away. Some children with epilepsy may outgrow the condition with age.

Symptoms
Because epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in the brain, seizures can affect any process your brain
coordinates. Seizure signs and symptoms may include:

Temporary confusion

A staring spell

Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs

Loss of consciousness or awareness

Psychic symptoms such as fear, anxiety or deja vu

Symptoms

Watch for these signs and symptoms if you think you or someone else may be having a stroke. Note when your
signs and symptoms begin, because the length of time they have been present may guide your treatment
decisions:

Trouble with speaking and understanding. You may experience confusion. You may slur your words or have
difficulty understanding speech.

Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg. You may develop sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis in
your face, arm or leg, especially on one side of your body. Try to raise both your arms over your head at the
 same time. If one arm begins to fall, you may be having a stroke. Similarly, one side of your mouth may droop
when you try to smile.

Trouble with seeing in one or both eyes. You may suddenly have blurred or blackened vision in one or both
eyes, or you may see double.

Headache. A sudden, severe headache, which may be accompanied by vomiting, dizziness or altered
consciousness, may indicate you're having a stroke.

Trouble with walking. You may stumble or experience sudden dizziness, loss of balance or loss of
coordination.

Think "FAST" and do the following:

 Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

 Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Or is one arm unable to raise up?

 Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is his or her speech slurred or strange?

 Time. If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms can vary greatly. Movement and coordination problems associated with cerebral palsy may
include:

 Variations in muscle tone, such as being either too stiff or too floppy

 Stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity)

 pStiff muscles with normal reflexes (rigidity)

 Lack of muscle coordination (ataxia)

 Tremors or involuntary movements

 Slow, writhing movements (athetosis)

 Delays in reaching motor skills milestones, such as pushing up on arms, sitting up alone or crawling

 Favoring one side of the body, such as reaching with only one hand or dragging a leg while crawling

 Difficulty walking, such as walking on toes, a crouched gait, a scissors-like gait with knees crossing, a wide
gait or an asymmetrical gait

 Excessive drooling or problems with swallowing

 Difficulty with sucking or eating

 Delays in speech development or difficulty speaking

 Difficulty with precise motions, such as picking up a crayon or spoon

 Seizures
Causes
Cerebral palsy is caused by an abnormality or disruption in brain development, usually before a child is born. In
many cases, the exact trigger isn't known. Factors that may lead to problems with brain development include:

 Mutations in genes that lead to abnormal brain development

 Maternal infections that affect the developing fetus

 Fetal stroke, a disruption of blood supply to the developing brain

 Infant infections that cause inflammation in or around the brain

 Traumatic head injury to an infant from a motor vehicle accident or fall

 Lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) related to difficult labor or delivery, although birth-related asphyxia is
much less commonly a cause than historically thought
Maternal health

Certain infections or health problems during pregnancy can significantly increase cerebral palsy risk to the baby.
Infections of particular concern include:

 German measles (rubella). Rubella is a viral infection that can cause serious birth defects. It can be prevented with a
vaccine.

 Chickenpox (varicella). Chickenpox is a contagious viral infection that causes itching and rashes, and it can cause
pregnancy complications. It too can be prevented with a vaccine.

 Cytomegalovirus. Cytomegalovirus is a common virus that causes flu-like symptoms and may lead to birth defects if a
mother experiences her first active infection during pregnancy.

 Herpes. Herpes infection can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, affecting the womb and placenta.
Inflammation triggered by infection may then damage the unborn baby's developing nervous system.

 Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite found in contaminated food, soil and the feces of
infected cats.

 Syphilis. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection.

 Exposure to toxins. Exposure to toxins, such as methyl mercury, can increase the risk of birth defects.

 Zika virus infection. Infants for whom maternal Zika infection causes microcephaly can develop cerebral palsy.

 Other conditions. Other conditions may increase the risk of cerebral palsy, such as thyroid problems, intellectual
disabilities or seizures.