What is focal epilepsy, and what causes this condition? Focal epilepsy is one of the many seizure disorders, and with this condition the seizure is preceded by unusual electrical activity in the brain. This is considered partial epilepsy, instead of one of the forms of full epilepsy, because the the entire brain is not affected by these seizures, just smaller areas. This is one of the most common causes of seizures in children, and in the benign form that affects children it is usually outgrown by puberty age and does not affect adults. In some cases this type of epilepsy can lead to grand mal epilepsy, but in most cases it is considered the mildest type of epilepsy it is possible to have.

Some possible causes for focal epilepsy can include a head injury, a brain tumor, neurological damage, or certain diseases that affect the neurological system. Unlike juvenile myoclonic epilepsy which is typically caused by genetics, with the focal type the cause is usually not known. Most cases seen with this type of epilepsy do not have any of the damage or diseases which would cause the seizures, and the cause is still idiopathic or undetermined at this time. It is possible that there is a genetic link which has not been determined yet, and only more research will be able to uncover this or any other possible causes.

Although diet has never been blamed for causing focal epilepsy, in some cases following a ketogenic diet for seizures can help you manage this disease and minimize any seizure activity. It is difficult for adults to follow this diet though, but it can be very effective for children who suffer from seizures. Medications can also help you to treat and manage focal epilepsy by reducing the amount of electrical activity that occurs in your brain. Lifestyle changes can also help reduce the number of seizures that you have. Although the exact cause is not known in most cases, there are treatments that can help.