Epilepsy has long carried a heavy load — not just medically, but socially and emotionally. For decades, it was cloaked in mystery and stigma, often misunderstood even within the medical community. But recent advances in science and a powerful reclassification effort by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) have transformed how we think about, diagnose, and treat epilepsy today.

 

In this blog, we’ll unpack what this re-classification of epilepsy actually means, why it was needed, and how it could change the lives of millions living with this neurological condition.

 

A Quick Refresher: What Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder marked by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. These seizures are caused by sudden, excessive electrical activity in the brain. It’s not just one disease — it's a spectrum of disorders with different causes, seizure types, and treatment responses.

 

Until recently, epilepsy was often labeled based on outdated terms that didn’t reflect the complexity of the condition. You might remember terms like "partial seizures," "grand mal," or even the now-defunct term “petit mal.” These phrases, though once standard, were often vague, confusing, and even misleading.

 

If you're looking for a clearer way to understand seizure types and how technology can help track and manage them, visit Epilepsy Solutions — specialists in home seizure monitoring equipment.

 

Why Reclassify?

The short answer? Clarity, accuracy, and dignity.

 

The ILAE undertook a major overhaul of the epilepsy classification system in 2017 and updated it further in the years following. The new classification is designed to:

 

Improve diagnosis and communication among doctors, patients, and researchers.

 

Support personalized treatment strategies.

 

Remove outdated language that contributed to stigma or confusion.

 

Advances in seizure monitoring, neuroimaging, and EEG have helped fuel this shift. Today, tools like wearable monitors and smart alert systems — like those offered by Epilepsy Solutions — can provide vital data that improves diagnostic accuracy and supports the new classification model.

 

What’s Changed in the New Classification?

The reclassification breaks epilepsy down into more meaningful categories based on three key dimensions:

 

1. Seizure Type

Instead of using the old “partial” or “generalized” labels, we now categorize seizures as:

 

Focal Seizures (start in one part of the brain)

 

Generalized Seizures (start on both sides of the brain)

 

Unknown Onset Seizures (when the start isn’t clear)

 

And importantly, awareness is now considered. For example:

 

Focal aware seizure (formerly “simple partial”)

 

Focal impaired awareness seizure (formerly “complex partial”)

 

Tracking these subtle differences — especially at home — can be challenging, which is why smart seizure monitors are increasingly being used to log and detect different seizure types. Explore real-time monitoring solutions that support this kind of observation and reporting.

 

2. Epilepsy Type

There are now four broad epilepsy types:

 

Focal epilepsy

 

Generalized epilepsy

 

Combined generalized and focal epilepsy

 

Unknown epilepsy

 

This helps clinicians choose better treatments — but it also means that having reliable home data on seizure patterns can make a big difference during consultations.

 

3. Etiology (Cause)

Epilepsy is now classified based on its cause:

 

Structural

 

Genetic

 

Infectious

 

Metabolic

 

Immune

 

Unknown

 

This dimension encourages more investigative care — but even with a known cause, tracking how epilepsy presents daily is key to getting the right treatment. Our monitoring devices help families and caregivers gain more control and insight between hospital visits.

 

Why It Matters for Patients

The reclassification isn’t just academic — it’s about real lives, real families, and real choices.

 

Better treatment: More accurate diagnoses mean better-targeted therapies.

 

Empowered patients: Tools like at-home monitors give people more insight into their condition.

 

Greater peace of mind: Parents, carers, and individuals with epilepsy can detect seizures, track trends, and respond faster — especially at night.

 

At Epilepsy Solutions, we provide seizure monitoring equipment that supports people in understanding their condition, working with clinicians, and improving safety at home.