History and naming
The ancients called seizures the "sacred disease," but around 400 BCE Hippocrates argued in On the Sacred Disease that it arose in the brain. In 1929 Hans Berger recorded the first human EEG, letting doctors see abnormal electrical activity during seizures. In Korea, to reduce stigma, the old term ganjil was replaced by noejeonjeung, proposed in 2009 and adopted in law in 2014.
Definition and seizure types
In 2014 the International League Against Epilepsy defined it as at least two unprovoked seizures more than 24 hours apart, or one with a high risk of recurrence. Seizures are focal, starting in one area, or generalized, involving both hemispheres; many, like brief absence seizures, involve no fall. Causes include genetics, brain injury, stroke, infection and tumors, though about half have no identified cause. It must be distinguished from fainting and from narcoleptic cataplexy.
Treatment and first aid
About 70% of people become seizure-free on antiseizure medicine; for drug-resistant cases, surgery, vagus nerve stimulation or a ketogenic diet may help. If you witness a seizure, clear hazards, cushion the head and turn the person on their side. Never put anything in their mouth, time it, and call emergency services if it lasts more than five minutes.
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
FAQ
- Is epilepsy inherited?
- Some forms are genetic, but most people do not inherit it directly from a parent.
- Should I put something in their mouth?
- No—this risks broken teeth and choking; turn them on their side instead.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-26
References
- Fisher, R. S., et al. (2014). ILAE official report: A practical clinical definition of epilepsy. Epilepsia, 55(4), 475–482.
- World Health Organization. (2024). Epilepsy (Fact sheet).
- 대한뇌전증학회. (2024). 뇌전증 바로알기.