Guide to Types And Risk Factors Of Epilepsy
Explore the various types of epilepsy and understand the key risk factors associated with each. Learn how genetics, brain injuries, and other health conditions can influence epilepsy development and management.
Written by Dr. Dhankecha Mayank Dineshbhai
Reviewed by Dr. D Bhanu Prakash MBBS, AFIH, Advanced certificate in critical care medicine, Fellowship in critical care medicine
Last updated on 12th Sep, 2025
Epilepsy is more than just a condition; it's a complex neurological disorder that manifests in many different ways, affecting millions of people worldwide. If you or a loved one has been touched by epilepsy, understanding its types and risk factors is the first crucial step toward effective management and dispelling common myths. This guide is designed to demystify epilepsy for the general public, breaking down the medical jargon into clear, actionable information. We will explore the various types of seizures, from focal to generalised, and delve into the underlying causes and risk factors that can contribute to its development. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge, reduce stigma, and provide a compassionate resource for navigating this condition, including when to seek professional help from platforms like Apollo24|7.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable disease of the brain characterised by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. It's important to think of it not as a single disorder, but as a spectrum of conditions unified by the tendency to have spontaneous seizures. These seizures are caused by sudden, excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells (neurons), which can be thought of as an "electrical storm" in the brain. The effects of this storm depend on where it starts and how far it spreads, leading to the wide variety of seizure types.
Seizures vs. Epilepsy: What's the Difference?
This is a critical distinction. A single seizure does not mean a person has epilepsy. High fevers, severe head injuries, or extremely low blood sugar can trigger a one-time seizure. Epilepsy is diagnosed when a person has:
- Two or more unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart.
- One unprovoked seizure and a high probability of having more, based on diagnostic tests like an EEG.
Diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome.
Essentially, epilepsy implies an enduring predisposition to generate seizures.
Seizure Types
Understanding the types of seizures is key to understanding the individual experience of epilepsy. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classifies seizures based on three key features: where they begin in the brain, the level of awareness during the seizure, and whether they involve movement.
Focal Onset Seizures:
- Previously called partial seizures, these begin in just one part of one hemisphere of the brain. The experience is entirely dependent on the function of that brain region.
- Focal Aware Seizures (Simple Partial): The person remains fully conscious and aware during the event. Symptoms might include sudden jerking of a limb, a feeling of déjà vu, unusual tastes or smells, or a rising sensation in the stomach.
- Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures (Complex Partial): These affect consciousness. The person may appear awake but will be confused, unresponsive, and may perform repetitive movements like lip-smacking, fumbling, or walking in circles. They will have no memory of the event afterward.
Generalised Onset Seizures:
These involve both hemispheres of the brain from the very beginning. They always affect awareness or consciousness.
- Tonic-Clonic Seizures (Grand Mal): These are the most recognised type. The "tonic" phase involves stiffening of muscles and a fall. The "clonic" phase involves rhythmic jerking. Breathing may be affected, and the person is unconscious. Recovery is often followed by fatigue and confusion.
- Absence Seizures (Petit Mal): Common in children, these involve brief lapses in awareness that look like a blank stare. They may be accompanied by subtle eye fluttering or lip movements and last only a few seconds, often mistaken for daydreaming
Other Generalized Seizure Types: These include myoclonic (brief, shock-like jerks), tonic (muscle stiffening), and atonic seizures (sudden loss of muscle tone, causing a "drop attack").
Unknown Onset Seizures
Sometimes, it's not possible for doctors or witnesses to determine where a seizure began. These are classified as unknown onset until more information is available.
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What Causes Epilepsy?
In about 50% of cases globally, the cause of epilepsy is unknown (idiopathic). For the other half, causes are linked to various factors that affect the brain.
Genetic Influences in Epilepsy
Some types of epilepsy, like Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy, run in families. Researchers have linked specific genes to a lower seizure threshold, meaning the brain is more susceptible to those electrical storms. However, genetics is often just one piece of a larger puzzle.
Structural Causes: Brain Abnormalities and Damage
This is a major category. Any structural change to the brain can be a cause. This includes:
- Stroke: A leading cause of epilepsy in adults over 35.
- Brain tumours or cysts.
- Head Trauma: Traumatic brain injuries from accidents or falls.
- Brain infections: Meningitis, encephalitis, or neurocysticercosis.
- Prenatal injury: Brain damage due to infection or lack of oxygen before birth.
- Developmental disorders: Like cortical dysplasia.
Metabolic and Immune-Related Causes
Certain metabolic conditions, such as pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency, can cause epilepsy. Autoimmune diseases where the body attacks its own brain cells (e.g., autoimmune encephalitis) are also a recognised cause.
Key Risk Factors for Developing Epilepsy
While a risk factor increases the chance of developing a condition, it is not a guarantee. Understanding these can help in prevention and early identification.
Age as a Major Risk Factor
The onset of epilepsy is most common in early childhood and after age 55. However, it can occur at any age due to the different causes prevalent at various life stages.
The Role of Family History and Genetics
Having a close relative with epilepsy increases your risk, highlighting a potential hereditary component for certain syndromes.
Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The risk factors associated with head injuries are significant. Wearing seatbelts, using helmets during sports, and preventing falls, especially in the elderly, are crucial preventive measures.
Brain Conditions: Strokes, Tumours, and Infections
Suffering a stroke or having a brain tumour or a severe brain infection are among the highest risk factors for developing epilepsy later in life.
Developmental Disorders and Epilepsy
Individuals with conditions like autism spectrum disorder and neurofibromatosis have a higher prevalence of epilepsy.
Recognising Seizure Triggers vs. Risk Factors
It's vital to distinguish between a risk factor (which increases the overall likelihood of developing epilepsy) and a trigger (which can provoke a seizure in someone who already has epilepsy). Common triggers include:
Missing doses of medication
- Sleep deprivation
- Flashing lights or patterns (photosensitivity)
- High stress or emotional excitement
- Alcohol or drug use
- Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle
Conclusion
Understanding the diverse types and risk factors of epilepsy is a powerful tool. It moves us from fear and uncertainty toward empathy, effective management, and support. This guide has outlined the electrical nature of seizures, the spectrum of how they can present, and the various underlying causes that can lead to an epilepsy diagnosis. Remember, an epilepsy diagnosis is not a life sentence of limitation; with proper diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle management, most people with epilepsy can lead full, active lives. The journey begins with knowledge and is supported by professional care. If any of the information here resonates with your personal experience, taking the next step to speak with a healthcare provider is the most important action you can take.
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Consult Top Specialists
Dr. Amit Kapoor
Neurosurgeon
18 Years • D.N.B NeuroSurg.
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
Dr Debnath Dwaipayan
Neurosurgeon
9 Years • MBBS, MS(Gen. Surgery), DrNB (Neurosurgery)
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
Dr. Ganeshgouda Majigoudra
Neurologist
10 Years • MBBS, MD ( GENERAL MEDICINE) DM (NEUROLOGY)
Bengaluru
Apollo Clinic, JP nagar, Bengaluru
Dr. Lakshaman K
Neurologist
19 Years • MBBS,MS General Medicine,MCH Neurosurgery
Bengaluru
R V speciality Clinic, Bengaluru
Dr. B Nataraju
Neurologist
32 Years • MBBS, MD, DM (Neurology)
Bengaluru
Apollo Medical Center, Marathahalli, Bengaluru
(50+ Patients)
Consult Top Specialists
Dr. Amit Kapoor
Neurosurgeon
18 Years • D.N.B NeuroSurg.
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
Dr Debnath Dwaipayan
Neurosurgeon
9 Years • MBBS, MS(Gen. Surgery), DrNB (Neurosurgery)
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
Dr. Ganeshgouda Majigoudra
Neurologist
10 Years • MBBS, MD ( GENERAL MEDICINE) DM (NEUROLOGY)
Bengaluru
Apollo Clinic, JP nagar, Bengaluru
Dr. Lakshaman K
Neurologist
19 Years • MBBS,MS General Medicine,MCH Neurosurgery
Bengaluru
R V speciality Clinic, Bengaluru
Dr. B Nataraju
Neurologist
32 Years • MBBS, MD, DM (Neurology)
Bengaluru
Apollo Medical Center, Marathahalli, Bengaluru
(50+ Patients)
