When epilepsy is diagnosed in older adults, it's sometimes from another neurological issue, like a stroke or a brain tumor. And don't worry, epilepsy isn't contagious, so you can't catch it.Īlthough children or older adults are more susceptible, anyone can develop epilepsy. They can't actually swallow their tongue. If you are with someone experiencing a seizure, don't put anything in their mouth. There are some myths about epilepsy we can dismiss. There are many types of seizures, including two main categories: focal, meaning they start in a particular part of your brain, or generalized, meaning the seizures initially involve all areas of the brain. You may have periods of unusual behaviors, feelings and sometimes loss of awareness. And because your brain controls so much, a lot of different things can go wrong. Epilepsy happens as a result of abnormal electrical brain activity, also known as a seizure, kind of like an electrical storm inside your head. have epilepsy, making it the fourth most common neurological disease after migraine, stroke and Alzheimer's. Whether you're looking for answers for yourself or someone you love, we're here to give you the best information available. What is it? Who gets it? The symptoms diagnosis and treatment. In this video, we'll cover the basics of epilepsy. Lily Wong-Kisiel, a pediatric neurologist at Mayo Clinic. Lily Wong-Kisiel, M.D., Pediatric Neurologist, Mayo Clinic: