What is epilepsy?
Epileptic seizures are sudden, often dramatic, "electrical storms" in the brain that range from very brief periods of "blanking out" to full-blown convulsions. |
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Causes of epilepsy
Seizures are a feature of a variety of states of ill-health, and have many differing causes. Seizures may be the only manifestation of disease, may be caused by a specific brain disorder, or are seen as part of a more generalised bodily illness. |
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Symptoms and signs of epilepsy
Symptoms may include sudden loss of consciousness, involuntary twitching of a limb or a strange feeling or sensation. |
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Diagnosis of epilepsy
A clear description of the seizure, and an EEG, are the most important tools in diagnosing epilepsy. |
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Treatment of epilepsy
There has recently been an explosion of new drugs for treating epilepsy. |
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The outcome of epilepsy
Although epilepsy tends to be a lifelong condition, effective management is available for most, allowing a seizure-free, productive life. |
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Prevention of epilepsy
If seizures occur as the result of an underlying disease of the brain (e.g. a tumour) or the body (e.g. kidney failure), treatment of these primary conditions can prevent seizures from occurring, and anti-epileptic medication may become unnecessary. |
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Emergency first-aid treatment for a convulsive seizure
Don't try to force a hard object between the teeth once the jaws are closed, as the teeth or object may break and fragments may be inhaled. |
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Types of epilepsy
There are different types of seizure. Classification is important because different seizures have differing underlying causes, and often respond to specific medications.
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