Anti-: Prefix generally meaning against, opposite or opposing, and contrary.. In medicine, anti-often connotes counteracting or effective against as in antibacterial, anti-infective, and antiviral. Sometimes medical terms containing anti-take on new meanings as has occurred with antibiotic and antibody.
1 Epilepsy is also associated with a variety of developmental and metabolic disorders. 2  Other causes include head injury, prenatal injury, and poisoning.  Triggers for seizures include lack of sleep, alcohol consumption, stress, or hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle.
Seizures are episodes of uncontrolled and abnormal firing of brain cells that may cause changes in attention or behavior. Epilepsy occurs when permanent changes in the brain cause it to be too excitable or irritable. As a result, the brain sends out abnormal signals. This leads to repeated, unpredictable seizures. Epilepsy may be due to a medical condition or injury that affects the brain.