Epilepsy
Other names	Seizure disorder
Generalized 3 Hz spike-and-wave discharges on an electroencephalogram
Symptoms	Periods of vigorous shaking, nearly undetectable spells
Duration	Long term
Causes	Unknown, brain injury, stroke, brain tumors, infections of the brain, birth defects
Diagnostic method	Electroencephalogram, ruling out other possible causes
Differential diagnosis	Fainting, alcohol withdrawal, electrolyte problems
Treatment	Medication, surgery, neurostimulation, dietary changes
Prognosis	Controllable in 69%
Frequency	39 million / 0.5% (2015)
Deaths	125,000 (2015)

Someone who has bitten the tip of their tongue while having a seizure

Epilepsy is a chronic condition of the brain. It is characterized by seizures that do not seem to have an obvious cause. To the outside viewer, these seizures show as episodes of heavy shaking. Depending on the seizure, the shaking may be short and difficult to detect or it may be longer.

People with epilepsy are sometimes called epileptic, but it is the fit or seizure that is "epileptic".

Many people have died from seizures.