World Epilepsy Awareness Day (Purple Day)

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

World Epilepsy Awareness Day, or Purple Day, is observed on March 26th, a global initiative to raise awareness of epilepsy and support the millions of people living with it worldwide.

Approximately 65 million people are living with epilepsy across the world, and one in 26 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with epilepsy during their lifetime.

Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes recurring seizures. Most people who suffer from epilepsy generally have the same type of seizure each time, and symptoms are usually similar from episode to episode. The symptoms of seizures can vary depending on the type of seizure, and because epilepsy is caused by certain activity in the brain, seizures can affect any brain process. Seizure symptoms may include:

Short-term confusion.

A staring spell.

Stiff muscles.

Jerking movements of the arms and legs.

Loss of consciousness.

Psychological symptoms such as fear, anxiety, or déjà vu.

Sometimes people with epilepsy may have changes in their behavior and may also experience psychosis.

Seizures can be categorized as either focal or generalized, based on where in the brain the brain activity that causes the seizure originates.

Focal seizures are the result of brain activity in just one area of the brain. Focal seizures can fall into two categories: focal seizures with preserved consciousness or focal seizures with impaired consciousness.

Types of focal seizures include:

Temporal lobe seizures

Frontal lobe seizures

Occipital lobe seizures

Focal seizures may have warning signs called auras in the moments before a seizure begins. Auras might include a feeling in the stomach, emotions such as fear, or the feeling of déjà vu. They can also be a taste, a smell, or a visual, such as a steady or flashing light, a color, or a shape. Some people may even experience dizziness and loss of balance, or hallucinations.

Generalized seizures are seizures that involve all areas of the brain. Types of generalized seizures include:

Absence seizures

Tonic seizures

Atonic seizures

Clonic seizures

Myoclonic seizures

Tonic-clonic seizures

There is no identifiable cause of epilepsy in about half of the people with the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors, including:

Family history of epilepsy

Head trauma

Brain tumors

Infections, such as meningitis, HIV, viral encephalitis, and some parasitic infections

Abnormal blood vessel formation or bleeding in the brain

Alzheimer’s disease

Strokes, heart attacks, and other conditions that deprive the brain of oxygen

Brain inflammation or swelling

Alcoholism or alcohol withdrawal

Injury before birth

Developmental conditions

Seizures can be caused by environmental triggers. These seizure triggers don’t cause epilepsy, but they may trigger seizures in people who suffer from epilepsy. Most people with epilepsy don’t have reliable triggers that always cause seizures. However, there are often factors that make it easier to have a seizure, including:

Flashing lights

Alcohol

Illicit drug use

Lack of sleep

Stress

Dehydration

Skipping doses of anti-seizure medicines or taking more than prescribed

Skipped meals

Illness

Epilepsy is diagnosed when a healthcare provider reviews your symptoms and medical history. They may perform several tests to diagnose epilepsy and to detect the cause of seizures. These tests include:

A neurological exam

Blood tests

Genetic testing

A healthcare provider may also request brain-imaging tests and scans that detect brain changes, including:

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

High-density EEG

CT scan

Functional MRI (fMRI)

PET scan

Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT)

Neuropsychological tests

Along with the test results of these brain-imaging tests, a combination of other techniques may be used to help pinpoint where the seizures start in the brain. They include:

Statistical parametric mapping (SPM)

Electrical source imaging (ESI)

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Treatment can help people who have been diagnosed with epilepsy have fewer seizures or even completely stop having seizures. These treatments include:

Medicines

Therapies that include devices that stimulate the brain

Surgery

A ketogenic diet

If you are experiencing any symptoms of epilepsy, you can consult with a neurologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7246.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Learn The Facts About Epilepsy

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Epilepsy, also referred to as a “seizure disorder,” is a chronic condition that affects the central nervous system. Those with this neurological disorder experience abnormal brain activity, which results in unpredictable and unprovoked seizures as well as other unusual behaviors, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness.

Because epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in the brain, seizures can affect any process the 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
Experiencing fear, anxiety, or déjà vu

A person with epilepsy may experience different symptoms than others with the same disorder. In most cases, however, a person with epilepsy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar from episode to episode.

While epilepsy has no identifiable cause, about half the cases can be traced to a variety of different factors, including:

Family history
Head trauma
Stroke
Infectious diseases such as meningitis encephalitis, or AIDS
Developmental disorders, including autism

Medications or 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.

National Epilepsy Awareness Month

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that causes abnormal brain activity, resulting in symptoms such as seizures, loss of awareness, and unusual behaviors. Generally, a diagnosis of epilepsy is given to people who have experienced two unprovoked seizures (meaning that they have no clear identifiable cause) within a 24-hour period.

There are several different types of seizures, each of which can cause different symptoms to occur. In most cases, a person with epilepsy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar from episode to episode. Some of these types (and the symptoms associated with them) include:

Absence seizures (staring into space with potential loss of awareness)
Tonic seizures (muscle stiffening in the back, arms, and legs with potential loss of consciousness)
Atonic seizures (loss of muscle control, typically results in falls)
Clonic seizures (repeated jerking muscle movements in the face, neck, and arms)
Myoclonic seizures (sudden jerking or twitching in the upper body, arms, and legs)
Tonic-clonic seizures (sudden loss of consciousness with body stiffening, twitching, and shaking)
Focal seizures (affects a specific part of the brain, causing altered or impaired awareness and perception of your environment and senses)

While epilepsy often has no identifiable cause, approximately half of all cases can be traced to a variety of different factors, including:

Family history
Head trauma
Stroke
Infectious diseases such as meningitis, encephalitis, or AIDS
Developmental disorders such as autism

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

You can receive specialized neurological treatment for epilepsy at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Neurosurgery. To get more information about our services or to schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-6713.

Seizure First Aid Do’s and Don’ts

Posted on March 28, 2017 by Xavia Malcolm

A seizure can be a frightening event for the person who is experiencing it as well as the bystander. According to WebMD, “tonic-clonic seizures are the most dramatic and frightening.”

During tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures, a person may convulse (jerking movements), lose consciousness, have stiffened muscles or bite their tongue or cheek. A person can also lose control of their bladder or bowels.

What should you do in the event that someone you know is having a tonic- clonic seizure? Here is how you can help them:

Keep calm
Cushion or support their head
Look to see if they own an epilepsy card or identification jewelry-this may provide you with information about the next steps you can take
Protect them from injury by removing objects within reach
Lay them on their side
Loosen tight clothing, especially around the neck
Time how long convulsions last
Once convulsions have stopped, place them in the recovery position (pictured below)

It is also important to know what not to do during these seizures, do not:

Put anything in their mouths
Restrict or restrain their movements
Try to move them (only do so if they are in danger)
Feed them or give them beverages (wait until they are fully alert)

If seizures continue for more than five minutes, call 9-1-1 immediately. Other times you should call emergency services is if, you know this is the person’s first seizure, they are having seizures one after the other, they are pregnant, there are injuries caused by the seizure or you believe they are in need of urgent medical attention.

For more information on seizure first aid, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/basics/first-aid.htm.

Rare but True – Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is a rare, but real condition, but it doesn’t involve the Mad Hatter or the Cheshire Cat.

Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a neurological condition where the sufferer has temporary episodes of a distorted perception of their own size and the size of things around them. People with this condition visualize themselves as big as giants or as small as insects. The objects around them also appear abnormally large or small. For instance, someone with AIWS will perceive a teacup either as big as a car or as small as a thimble.

This hallucination-like state typically lasts anywhere from five to 30 minutes. People with AIWS also may experience an impaired sense of space, with objects suddenly seeming very close or far away. In some cases, the sense of touch and sound may also be distorted.

The syndrome references the adventures from the famous novel by Lewis Carroll, where the title character Alice experiences strange events in Wonderland. Many believe that the Carroll himself suffered from this disease and was the inspiration for the story.
The cause of the condition is unknown, although the episodes have been closely associated with the onset of migraine headaches or epilepsy. AIWS can affect anyone, but it is most common in children and young adults. Episodes stop for most over time, but those who experience symptoms are recommended to see a doctor immediately.