Seizures are sudden uncontrollable electrical disruptions in the brain. A seizure can alter your behavior, movements, and awareness. Seizures are usually a singular occurrence. Suffering two or more unprovoked seizures at least 24 hours apart is known as epilepsy. Seizure types vary drastically in their range of symptoms and severity. On average, a seizure lasts from 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
Doctors divide seizures into two types: focal and generalized. The type of seizure depends on how and where the abnormal brain activity occurs. Seizures may be provoked by a head injury, a stroke, an infection (such as meningitis), or illness. Not everyone who has one seizure will have another. Because a seizure can be an isolated incident, your doctor may not decide to start treatment until you've had more than one.