Difference Between Seizure and Epilepsy

Seizure vs Epilepsy

People do sometimes get an illness that they do not know the root cause. Some develop due to environmental factors while some develop by birth. Two illnesses that are of prime importance to discuss are seizures and epilepsy. The differences shall be discussed in this article.

Seizures and epilepsy are both neurological disorders. Meaning it involves the nervous system which is composed of the brain, spinal cord, and the nerves. To differentiate between them, people must understand that epilepsy is an illness while a seizure is just a symptom of it.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by seizures. Over 50 million people have been diagnosed with epilepsy around the world, and it is prevalent in young children and adults aged 65 and above. Seizures, on the other hand, are a condition in which there is excessive brain activity causing a mixing of signals on the neurons. These signals are wrong signals causing jerking and muscle rigidity in the patients. Epilepsy is a chronic disease while a seizure can occur only sometimes or even just one time depending on the incident that was involved. Since epilepsy is chronic, the patient must bear with it for a long period of time.

Epilepsy cannot be cured but it can be controlled. However, the manifestations of epilepsy can occur at any time. Some of the signs and symptoms of epilepsy are different types of seizures, frothing of the mouth, and a lot more. The cause of epilepsy may be due to injury to the brain such as trauma and inadequate oxygen, infections to the brain, tumors, strokes, and a lot more. It can be confirmed by the doctor through an MRI scan or CT scan.

Seizures, on the other hand, are symptoms that have three types which can occur along with that of having epilepsy. The first one is a grand mal seizure or generalized seizure. This type of seizure occurs on the whole body. The second type is partial or petit mal seizure. This type of seizure occurs on only a part of the body depending on the part of the brain being injured. An example may be the jerking of the hand. The last one is an absence seizure. The manifestation of this can be loss of consciousness, blank staring, or blinking. This can last for a few seconds only. Seizures can be controlled by certain medications.

People with epilepsy and seizures can live a normal life. However, they should strictly follow their medications to prevent seizures from recurring as medications can suppress the overactivity of the brain and its neurons.

Summary:

1.Epilepsy is an illness but a seizure is just a symptom.
2.Epilepsy is chronic or can occur for a long time while a seizure can occur only once or only a few times.
3.Both epilepsy and seizures cannot be cured but can be controlled using medications.

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