In plain words
Epilepsy is a long-term disease of the brain marked by recurrent seizures: brief episodes of involuntary movement of part or all of the body, sometimes with loss of consciousness. Seizures come from excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells. Epilepsy is not contagious.
One seizure does not mean epilepsy. WHO defines epilepsy as two or more unprovoked seizures.
Key facts
- About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly 80% live in low- and middle-income countries.
- WHO estimates up to 70% of people with epilepsy could be seizure-free if properly diagnosed and treated.
- Risk of premature death is up to three times higher than in the general population, and three quarters of people with epilepsy in low-income countries do not get the treatment they need.
- About 5 million people are diagnosed each year.
Signs and symptoms
Depend on where in the brain the disturbance starts and spreads. Temporary loss of awareness or consciousness, and disturbances of movement, sensation (vision, hearing, taste), mood or thinking. Seizures range from brief lapses of attention or muscle jerks to prolonged convulsions. People with epilepsy have more injuries such as fractures and bruises, and higher rates of anxiety and depression.
Causes
The cause is unknown in about 50% of cases worldwide. Known causes are grouped as structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune and unknown, for example brain damage around birth.
Preventable harm
WHO notes many epilepsy-related deaths, especially in low- and middle-income countries, are potentially preventable, such as falls, drowning, burns and prolonged seizures. Stigma and discrimination remain common.
Sources
- WHO fact sheet, Epilepsy, published 7 February 2024, read 9 October 2026.
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026. Reviewer: none yet. This page is general education and is not medical advice. Figures are WHO's and may have been updated since.