Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common condition that affects the brain and causes repeated seizures. It can start at any age, and while it is usually a long-term condition, treatment can help most people control their seizures [1].

Seizures affect people in different ways. They can involve uncontrollable jerking and shaking, becoming stiff or floppy, losing awareness, unusual sensations, or strange feelings. Seizures usually last from a few seconds to a few minutes and then stop on their own [1].

Epilepsy is caused by a change in the brain’s electrical activity. Sometimes it runs in families or follows a brain injury, stroke or infection, but in many people no cause is found [1].

Epilepsy is usually diagnosed by a specialist after a detailed account of what happened during seizures. Tests such as an EEG (which records brain activity) or a brain scan may be used [1].

The main treatment is anti-epileptic medicine, which helps prevent seizures. It can take time to find the right medicine and dose, and other treatments are available for seizures that are harder to control [1]. Do not stop or change medicine without advice.

Call 999 if someone is having a seizure for the first time, a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, they do not regain awareness between seizures, they have more than one seizure without recovering, or they are injured [1].