Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and causes a person to have repeated seizures. A seizure happens when there is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily disrupts how it works. This can briefly affect movement, sensations, awareness or behaviour. Epilepsy is usually diagnosed when someone has had more than one seizure that was not caused by a one-off trigger.

Epilepsy is one of the most common long-term brain conditions and affects tens of millions of people worldwide of all ages and backgrounds. It can begin at any time of life, although it often starts in childhood or in older adulthood. With proper diagnosis and treatment, a large proportion of people with epilepsy can become seizure-free.

The main symptom is recurring seizures, and these can look very different from person to person. Some involve uncontrolled jerking and shaking with loss of awareness, while others cause brief staring spells, unusual sensations, confusion, or repetitive movements. A person may also notice strange smells, tastes or feelings before a seizure. The pattern of seizures depends on which part of the brain is involved.

In many people no clear cause is found. In others, epilepsy is linked to factors that affect the brain, such as a stroke, a brain infection, a head injury, problems present from birth, or certain genetic conditions. Risk can be higher in those with a family history or with conditions affecting the brain. Triggers like missed sleep or missed medicines can make seizures more likely.

Diagnosis usually relies on a detailed description of what happens before, during and after the seizures, so an account from someone who witnessed them is very helpful. A specialist may arrange tests such as an EEG, which records the brain's electrical activity, and brain scans like an MRI to look for an underlying cause. These tests support the diagnosis but cannot always confirm epilepsy on their own.

The most common treatment is regular anti-seizure medicine, which helps many people control or greatly reduce their seizures. When medicines do not work well, options may include surgery, special diets or devices that help regulate brain activity, depending on the type of epilepsy. Identifying and avoiding personal seizure triggers, and following a doctor's advice, are also important parts of day-to-day management.

Epilepsy itself cannot always be prevented, especially when the cause is unknown. However, some cases linked to head injury, stroke or infection may be reduced by protecting the head, managing heart and blood-vessel health and treating infections promptly. For people who already have epilepsy, taking medicines as prescribed and avoiding known triggers helps prevent further seizures.