An epileptic<unk> , occasionally referred to as a fit, is defined as a transient symptom of "abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain". The outward effect can be as dramatic as a wild thrashing movement (tonic-clonic<unk>  or as mild as a brief loss of awareness. It can manifest as an alteration in mental state, tonic or clonic movements, convulsions, and various other psychic symptoms (such as déjà vu or jamais vu). The medical syndrome of recurrent, unprovoked<unk> s is termed epilepsy, but<unk> s can occur in people who do not have epilepsy.
About 4% of people will have an unprovoked<unk>  by the age of 80 and yet the chance of experiencing a second<unk>  is between 30% and 50%. Treatment may reduce the chance of a second one by as much as half. Most single episode<unk> s are managed by primary care physicians (emergency or general practitioners), whereas investigation and management of ongoing epilepsy is usually by neurologists. Difficult-to-manage epilepsy may require consultation with an epileptologist, a neurologist with an interest in epilepsy.
Non-epileptic<unk> s are paroxysmal events that mimic an epileptic<unk>  but do not involve abnormal, rhythmic discharges of cortical neurons. They are caused by either physiological or psychological conditions. The latter is discussed more fully in psychogenic non-epileptic<unk> s.
Medically, when used on its own, the term<unk>  implies an epileptic<unk> . The lay use of this word can also include sudden attacks of illness, loss of control, spasm or stroke. Where the physician is uncertain as to the diagnosis, the medical term paroxysmal event and the lay terms spells, funny turns or attacks may be used.
Seizure
Epilepsy
Jacksonian seizure
Febrile seizure
Atonic seizure
Absence seizure
Status epilepticus
Drop attack