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By Robert S. Fisher, M.D., Ph.D.

On the second day of the new year, the Hollywood couple, John Travolta and Kelly Preston lost their son. Jett Travolta died, reportedly because of a fall caused by a seizure. Jett was known to have epilepsy. When a tragedy happens to a celebrity, media coverage is extensive, and people with epilepsy and their families worry: what are the chances that this will happen to me?

Epilepsy more than doubles the risk of dying. Since a person's risk for death normally is low, a doubled risk is still numerically relatively low. Most people with epilepsy do not die from their epilepsy. In one large prospective study (Shackleton, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 1993, volume 56, page 149), the mortality rate was about 1 per 100 person-years (a person-year is the number of people multiplied by the number of years that they are followed), representing a 2.5-fold increase in mortality rate. People with newly diagnosed and controlled epilepsy have lower mortality rates. People with chronic, uncontrolled epilepsy have higher rates. Older and sicker people have a higher mortality, whether or not they have epilepsy.

People with epilepsy can die for several reasons, some of which are not related to their seizures: cancer death, for example. Risks possibly related to epilepsy or seizures include seizure-related accidental injuries, status epilepticus (a seizure persisting for longer than 30 minutes), severe side effects from seizure medications, suicide, and SUDEP. The term SUDEP is an abbreviation for a condition called "sudden unexplained death in epilepsy." In this condition, a person with epilepsy dies from a seizure, sometimes witnessed and sometimes not, and no other cause than the seizure is able to explain the death. Experimental evidence points to seizure-provoked heart rhythm abnormalities, breathing problems, or brain swelling during a seizure as possible causes. Different causes may operate in different individuals.

Doctors may or may not discuss SUDEP and other mortality issues with their patients. A few advocate avoiding the subject to avoid alarm. Many are willing to discuss possible mortality issues, but have insufficient time in a clinic visit to do so, given other more immediate priorities. The position of epilepsy.com favors open information and disclosure in this area, even when the subject is difficult.

What can people do to minimize the chance of dying from a seizure? First, stay healthy, since good health will help you to survive whatever may happen. Second, control your epilepsy as best you can, with lifestyle measures such as obtaining proper rest and by regularly taking all necessary medications. Third, be aware of safety issues to minimize the risk of injury during a seizure. Fourth, do not suffer depression in silence, especially if you are having thoughts of suicide.

Epilepsy can shorten life, but most of the time it does not. Be aware of risks and take sensible precautions, but do not let the risks put you into a state of constant worry. Consult with your doctor for specific information about your risk factors for injury due to seizures.

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By Robert S. Fisher, M.D., Ph.D. On the second day of the new year, the Hollywood couple, John Travolta and Kelly Preston lost their son. Jett Travolta died, reportedly because of a fall caused by a seizure. Jett was known to have epilepsy.

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Please note: DVLA phone lines are currently busier than usual because of coronavirus (COVID-19). They are also taking longer than usual to respond to queries sent by post.

Follow our interactive guide to see at a glance what the driving regulations mean for you.

When can I drive again?

When you can drive depends on the type of seizures you have now, the type of seizures you have had previously, and what type of licence you have. You must also meet all normal driving requirements and these two conditions:

You must follow your doctor's advice about your treatment and check ups.

The driving agency must be satisfied that you are not likely to have any more seizures.

Provoked seizures

If someone with no history of seizures or previous brain disease has a seizure caused by something that is unlikely to happen again, this may be a 'provoked seizure'. The driving agency must agree with your doctor that the seizure was provoked. The driving agencies will look at provoked seizures on an individual basis but usually you will have to stop driving for six months for a Group 1 licence and up to five years for Group 2. Seizures caused by sleep deprivation are not usually considered provoked.

First and single (isolated) seizure

This is a first and single seizure that is not provoked (see above) in a person who has not had any other unprovoked seizures during the past five years. It includes where someone has had more than one seizure if they all occurred within a 24 hour period.

Group 1 licence (cars, motorcycles and mopeds): You may be allowed to start driving again after six months if you have had no further seizures and there are no clinical factors (such as a scar on the brain) or results from tests (such as an EEG) which suggest an increased risk of you having another seizure.

Group 2 licence (buses, coaches and lorries): You may be allowed to start driving again after five years if you have seen a specialist and there are no clinical factors (such as a scar on the brain) or results from tests (such as an EEG) which suggest a high risk of you having another seizure. You must not have been prescribed anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) during the five years before applying for a new licence.

Awake seizures

These are seizures that start when you are awake. These are the regulations if your seizures affect your consciousness or ability to act:

Group 1 licence. To drive, you must meet all normal driving requirements and must have been completely free of seizures for one year, with or without taking anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Different regulations may apply if your seizures do not affect your consciousness (see below).

Group 2 licence. You must meet all normal driving requirements and must have been seizure-free, without AEDs, for the last 10 years.

Asleep seizures

'Asleep seizures' (sometimes called 'nocturnal seizures') are seizures that happen as you are falling asleep, while you are asleep, or as you are waking up. The term 'asleep seizures' might also apply if you have a seizure in your sleep during the day, if sleeping during the day is part of your normal routine (for example, if you do shift work).

* If you have an asleep seizure you must stop driving and contact the driving agency. If you are then seizure-free for one year you can apply for a new Group 1 licence, as you can for 'awake seizures'.

* If you continue to have only asleep seizures you may be eligible to apply for a new Group 1 licence depending on the pattern of your seizures (see 'permitted seizures' below).

Seizures where you may be able to drive (permitted)

The following are are types of seizure where you can drive, under a Group 1 licence The DVLA form ( INS9) has more details about permitted seizures.
Awake seizures that do not affect consciousness, attention and the ability to act.
For some types of awake seizure, you may be able to drive under a Group 1 licence after one year even if you are still having seizures. This is only if all of the following apply to you:

* you stay fully conscious during your seizures;

* your seizures do not stop you doing anything; and

* you have only ever had this type of seizure and have never had a seizure that affects your consciousness, attention and ability to act.

If you have or have ever had a seizure which affects your consciousness or ability to act, such as where you are confused or unable to remember what happens, these standards will not apply to you.
Asleep seizures with no history of seizures when awake.
If you have only ever had asleep seizures (and have never had an awake seizure), once this pattern of only asleep seizures has been seen for one year, you can apply for a Group 1 licence even if you still have these seizures. If you then have an awake seizure, you will need to stop driving and tell the driving agency.
Asleep seizures with a history of awake seizures.
If you have had only asleep seizures over a period of three years since your last awake seizure, you can apply for a Group 1 licence, even if you still have asleep seizures.

It is important that this pattern of only asleep seizures is seen over at least three years, starting from the first asleep you have had since your last awake seizure.

Stopping medication

If you are seizure-free and stop taking your anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), there is a risk that your seizures will start again. If you, with your doctor, decide to stop taking (withdraw) your AEDs, your doctor is likely to advise you to stop driving while you are withdrawing, and for six months after you have stopped your AEDs. This advice will be based on the recommendation of the DVLA. If you drive against your doctor's advice, you will be driving illegally.

If you have a seizure after withdrawing your AEDs, you will need to stop driving and tell the driving agency. If you go back onto the same medication at the same dose as you were on before, and are seizure-free and on this medication for six months, you can apply for a new licence. This only applies if you withdraw your AEDs under medical supervision.

Changing medication

If you are changing from one medication to another, your doctor will advise you if you need to stop driving. However, if you have a seizure you will need to stop driving and tell the driving agency. If you go back onto the same medication at the same dose as you were on before, and are seizure-free on this medication for six months, you can apply for a new licence.

An exception to the above is if you have 'permitted seizures' (see above). You will still need to tell the driving agency about the seizure but you may be allowed to carry on driving, depending on the type of seizures you have had previously.

Taxi drivers

Local authorities set their own standards for taxi drivers, and some use the DVLA regulations for Group 2 licences for driving a taxi.

Contact your local council for details.

Vehicles which need no licence
Forklift trucks, farm vehicles and sit-on lawn mowers on private land
The DVLA medical standards cover vehicles that are driven on public highways, not vehicles that are used on private land. A driving licence is not needed for the following vehicles as long as they are only being driven on private land and not on public roads: forklift trucks, farm vehicles (such as tractors and quad bikes), and sit-on lawn mowers. Employers need to consider health and safety regulations if someone drives these vehicles on private land as part of their job. The Health and Safety Executive advises driving standards for these vehicles that are similar to Group 1 and 2 standards, depending on their size and weight. If these vehicles are driven on public highways a driving licence would be needed.
Electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters
There are two 'classes' of electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters (or 'invalid carriages'). Class 2 can't be used on the road, and 'class 3' can be used on the road. You don't need to have a licence for either class, but you need to register and tax class 3 as it can be used on the road (although you won't have to pay for this). Your doctor may be able to advise whether these wheelchairs or scooters are safe for you to use.
Information produced: December 2019

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What the driving regulations mean for you | Epilepsy Society

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Please note: DVLA phone lines are currently busier than usual because of coronavirus (COVID-19). They are also taking longer than usual to respond to queries sent by post. Follow our interactive guide to see at a glance what the driving regulations mean for you.

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Frontal Lobe Seizure: What Is It, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

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Frontal lobe seizures are a type of epilepsy. Symptoms can include abnormal behavior and sleep disturbances. They often occur at night.

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Childhood Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes is also Known as Benign Rolandic Epilepsy or Benign Rolandic Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes

What is Childhood Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes?

This syndrome is known by two other names:

Benign rolandic epilepsy of childhood (BREC)

Benign rolandic epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS)

The name derives from the rolandic area of the brain, which is the part that controls movements. The term "benign" refers to the fact that most children outgrow these seizures by adolescence. The official modern name is "childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes" or CECTS. Yet, many people still just use the term benign rolandic epilepsy to refer to this syndrome.

Seizures in CECTs can occur when the child is awake or during sleep. Seizures that begin during wakefulness involve twitching, numbness, or tingling of one side of the face or tongue. These symptoms can interfere with speech and may cause drooling. The child remains fully aware. These seizures are typically brief, lasting no more than 2 minutes in most cases, and are usually infrequent.

Seizures that come on when the child is sleeping may start with twitching of one side of the face, but often progress to a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. They typically are seen shortly after the child goes to sleep or just before they wake up. They can also be seen during daytime naps.

Other than seizures, most children are otherwise developing normally.
Contact Our Helpline
Who gets it?

This syndrome accounts for about 15% of all epilepsies in children.

The average age when these seizures begin is about 6 to 8 years old, but they may be seen in children from age 3 to 13. They are a bit more likely to affect boys.

Children with CECTS generally have normal intelligence, which is not affected by the seizures. Much less commonly, children may have learning difficulties and behavioral problems during the period of time that they have seizures. The problems typically disappear once the seizures stop and the EEG (electroencephalogram) goes back to normal.

The syndrome is more common in children who have close relatives with epilepsy. Although in most cases it is seen in those without any other affected family members.

What causes CECTs?

The cause is unknown.

How is CECTS diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose CECTS based on the description of the seizure. They may also gather information from tests such as:

EEG (electroencephalogram): Children with CECTs have spikes on their EEG in the centrotemporal regions of the brain. These findings help confirm the diagnosis.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): This test is usually normal in children with CECTS. It is often not needed if the history and EEG are very typical.

Example of an EEG in a child with CECTS
How is BREC/BECTS treated?

Because the majority of children have infrequent seizures, many do not take any seizure medicines for this type of epilepsy. Medication may be prescribed if a child has daytime seizures or frequent seizures. Medicine can also be considered if there are very frequent discharges on the EEG in sleep, in a child with typical seizures and a learning disorder, or some cognitive problems.

The seizures usually can be controlled by any of the common seizure medicines. The most commonly used medication is levetiracetam (Keppra). Other medicines including oxcarbazepine, carbamazepine, gabapentin, zonisamide or lacosamide (Vimpat) may also be used.

In most cases, seizures respond well to antiseizure medications.

What's the outlook for persons with CECTS?

Most children stop having seizures within 2 to 4 years after they begin. Medicines can be withdrawn under the guidance of the treating physician without seizure recurrence. In almost every case, complete remission is seen by age 15. Children remain developmentally normal.

Resources
Find Your Local Epilepsy Foundation

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Childhood Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes aka Benign Rolandic Epilepsy

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This syndrome is known by two other names: Benign rolandic epilepsy of childhood (BREC) Benign rolandic epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) The name derives from the rolandic area of the brain, which is the part that controls movements. The term "benign" refers to the fact that most children outgrow these seizures by adolescence.

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Our attorneys were recently asked "Can Birth Injuries Cause Seizures?" Brain injuries are among the most common forms of birth injuries and can result in neurological problems like seizures. In this article, we will take a closer look at the types of birth injuries that can cause seizures, how seizures can affect your child and your family, and what you can do to get the support and help you deserve after a birth injury.

What are Seizures?

Seizures are uncontrollable electrical disturbances in the brain. There are many different types of seizures, each with their own symptoms and severity. There are focal seizures, generalized seizures, petit mal seizures, tonic clonic seizures, partial, grand mal and myoclonic seizures. Within these types, there are variations in how the seizures affect the patient. Seizures can last anywhere from 30 seconds up to two minutes. Any seizure lasting longer than that should be cause for alarm. Two or more seizures in 24 hours without an identifiable cause, the child may have epilepsy. Seizures and seizure disorders are not always the same thing.

If your child has a seizure, you may notice the following symptoms:

Change in behavior

Change in movement

Loss of sensation

Loss of consciousness

Staring spells

Confusion

Anxiety, fear, or deja vu

These symptoms can be alarming to parents, and you should contact your doctor right away. It is important to identify the cause of the seizure(s) and determine the appropriate course of treatment. Sometimes the cause is an event like a stroke or head injury; but other times, the cause is unknown.

Can Birth Injuries Cause Seizures?

While some people are diagnosed with idiopathic (unpreventable) epilepsy, many other people experience seizures due to injury. Trauma to the head during, or shortly after birth, can definitely cause seizures.

Some of the most common birth injuries and related factors that contribute to development of seizures in infants include:

Asphyxia (oxygen deprivation)

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

Brain infections

Trauma to the head (such as forced labor or improper use of delivery tools)

Placental complications

Prolonged labor

Because the head and brain are so delicate in the first weeks of life, it is important that any suspected illness or injury is recognized, diagnosed, and treated immediately. There are many factors that may contribute to birth injuries, and you should never settle for an easy answer if you believe that wrongdoing occurred.

If you need help sorting through a traumatic birth experience that you believe included a preventable injury to you or your child, contact Birth Injury Guide to learn more about your legal rights and birth injury laws.

How do Doctors Diagnose Seizures?

If you suspect that your child is having seizures your doctor will order a series of tests to look at the electrical functions in the brain. The type of seizure your child has depends on where the brain damage occurred and where abnormal electrical activity begins and ends. These tests may include:

Electroencephalogram (EEG): Uses electrodes to track brain wave patterns and send them to a computer for recording.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Uses magnetic fields and frequency pulses to take pictures of internal structures.

Computed Tomography (CT): A very detailed form of X-Ray.

Your doctor will also look at your child's overall health, and will consider any factors like birth injuries or other injuries.

Signs Your Child May Have a Birth Injury

In addition to active seizures, there are some signs and symptoms that may indicate that your baby was injured during labor and delivery.

Talk to your doctor immediately if your child has seizures and any of the following has occurred, or is occurring:

Low Apgar score

Lethargic or sluggish behavior

Difficulty feeding, or refusing feedings

Unusual movement in the extremities

Difficulty breathing

Abnormal fetal heart rate during labor and delivery

Delivery requiring fetal resuscitation

Blue or pale coloring after delivery

Presence of these conditions does not mean that your baby was intentionally or negligently injured, but may be signs that you and your doctor should take a closer look at his or her overall health and your labor and delivery experience.

How Seizures Affect Your Child and Your Family

Seizures can be either temporary, or may be recurring, which is diagnosed as the disease epilepsy. Epilepsy is among the oldest and most common neurological disorders diagnosed worldwide. It is estimated that 30 percent of individuals living with epilepsy are children. Unfortunately, most people are unaware of just how seizures or epilepsy affects sufferers and their families.

Depending on the cause of the seizures or epilepsy, and the extent of the brain injury, the symptoms and effects may vary. There are two primary types of epilepsy (partial and generalized), each with their own primary symptoms. These symptoms may include the following:

Partial: Episodes and movements affect only part of the body. Seizures classified as partial may include fluttering of the eyelids, tremors or jerking movements, and brief lapses in coherence.

Generalized: Episodes are more severe and affect the entire body. Generalized seizures may include severe involuntary movements, loss of consciousness, and loss of bladder and bowel control.

Looking more in depth, the range of severity and symptoms associated with seizures is quite broad. Depending on what part of the brain was injured, and to what extent, often determines what symptoms are present. A general list of possible symptoms your child may experience includes:

Convulsions: Seizures greatly affect bodily movements. Convulsions may range from shaking, fumbling around, falling down, or even severe or uncontrollable jerking.

Movement Disturbances: May include lapses in coherence, staring, fumbling, jerking, tremors, loss of balance, or inability to control movement.

Sensation Disturbances: Seizures may interfere with normal sensations like hearing, vision, and taste.

Mood Swings: People with seizures often battle mood swings and disorders, anxiety, and frustration.

Neurocognitive Impairment: People with epilepsy often experience disturbances in cognitive functions. They may experience developmental delays, attention deficits, mental slowness, learning difficulties, behavior problems, memory difficulties, and challenged socio-professional outcomes.

Getting Help after a Birth Injury

Many people who suffer birth injuries and go on to live healthy, happy lives. Early detection and treatment is one of the most important factors in birth injury cases, and can be crucial in preserving your child's future.

If your child was injured during labor and delivery and you believe those injuries were preventable, you may find it helpful to speak with a birth injury attorney. The guidance of a birth injury attorney can help you determine if a birth injury occurred, if a healthcare provider was negligent, and if your legal rights were violated.

Contact Birth Injury Guide to speak with one of our skilled, compassionate birth injury attorneys. We understand the difficult nature of birth injury cases, and our passion is protecting you and your family and getting you the help you deserve. Fill out our online form or call us for your no-obligation consultation.

Written By Meagan Cline

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Can Birth Injuries Cause Seizures? - Birth Injury Guide

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Our attorneys were recently asked "Can Birth Injuries Cause Seizures?" Brain injuries are among the most common forms of birth injuries and can result in neurological problems like seizures.

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If you have epilepsy you may be nervous about what it means for your pregnancy and baby.

Try not to worry, as it is likely that you will have a healthy pregnancy and go on to have a healthy baby. But there is a slightly higher risk of having a baby with a birth defect or developmental problem, so it's important to get the right support.

Important

If you find out you're pregnant, do not stop taking your anti-epilepsy medicine until you've spoken with your doctor or specialist.

Planning on getting pregnant

If you're taking anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and you're planning to get pregnant, you should continue to use contraception and take your medicine until you discuss your plans with a GP or epilepsy specialist (neurologist).

This is because your doctor may want to make changes to the dose or type of medicine you are taking, which is best done before you become pregnant.

You should also be offered pre-conception counselling, which will help you understand any risks and plan for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Effect of pregnancy on your epilepsy

It's difficult to predict how pregnancy will affect epilepsy. Your epilepsy may be unaffected, or you may see an improvement in your condition.

However, as pregnancy can cause physical and emotional stress, as well as increased tiredness, your seizures may become more frequent. If this happens to you, let your doctor, midwife or neurologist know.

Risks from epilepsy medicines

Research has shown that there is an increased risk of your child not developing normally if you take some types of AED during pregnancy, including:

These medicines may cause problems such as spina bifida, cleft lip or heart abnormalities. They may also give your baby a higher chance of brain development problems, such as a delay in developing speech and language, and problems with memory and attention.

To reduce these risks, talk to a GP or neurologist about your medicines before you get pregnant or if you're planning to get pregnant. They may want to switch you to an alternative treatment. Lamotrigine and levetiracetam are safer medicines to take in pregnancy.

It's usually better to make any changes to your medicine before rather than during pregnancy.

If you get pregnant while you're taking an AED, continue to take it and contact your GP or neurologist immediately to discuss your treatment.

Do not change your treatment or stop taking your medicine without specialist advice, especially during pregnancy. This is because a severe seizure in pregnancy could result in harm or injury to you or your baby.
Read the GOV.UK safety leaflet about epilepsy medicines and pregnancy
Sodium valproate and valproic acid

The risk of harm to your baby is particularly high with the valproate medicines sodium valproate and valproic acid.

If you're taking a valproate medicine and are planning to get pregnant or find out that you are pregnant, do not stop taking your medicine. See a GP or neurologist immediately to discuss your increased risk and whether this is still the best treatment for you.

People living with epilepsy who are able to get pregnant must not be given a valproate medicine unless they have enrolled in a pregnancy prevention programme. This is designed to make sure they understand:

the risks of taking valproate medicines in pregnancy

the need to use effective contraception to prevent pregnancy

As part of a pregnancy prevention programme, you'll need to:

see your consultant at least once a year to discuss your treatment

discuss the risks of your medicine and the importance of avoiding pregnancy

sign a form stating you understand the risks to your unborn baby if you take a valproate medicine, and agree to use effective contraception throughout your treatment

Your doctor may refer you to contraception services.

Your doctor will give you an information leaflet to explain more about the risks and how to avoid them. Keep this information in case you need to refer to it again.
Read more from the Epilepsy Society about sodium valproate Read more from GOV.UK on valproate use by women and girls

Folic acid

If you're taking medicine to control your epilepsy, you will need to take 5 milligram (5mg) of folic acid once a day as soon as you start trying to get pregnant

This will need to be prescribed for you, usually by a GP, as it is a higher dose than normal.

If you become pregnant unexpectedly and have not been taking folic acid, make an appointment with a GP and start taking it straight away. You can buy the lower dose 400 microgram tablets from a pharmacy before you get a prescription for the 5mg tablets.

Talk to a GP or pharmacist if you need any advice.

Your care during pregnancy

Before you become pregnant, or as early in your pregnancy as possible, you'll be referred to an obstetrician, who will discuss and plan your care during pregnancy. If necessary, a neurologist may also be involved in putting this plan together.

You may need extra appointments and scans to check your baby's development, or blood tests, to check the level of anti-epileptic medicines in your blood, depending on which AEDs you take.

You can talk to your care team about how epilepsy may be inherited and any other concerns you have.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

If you're well, it's really important you go to all your appointments and scans for the health of you and your baby.

If you're pregnant, hospitals and clinics are making sure it's safe for you to go to appointments.

If you get symptoms of COVID-19, or you're unwell with something other than COVID-19, speak to your midwife or maternity team. They will advise you what to do.
Find out more about pregnancy and COVID-19

Labour, birth and beyond

Depending on your risk of having a seizure during labour your doctors will usually recommend that you give birth in a consultant-led maternity unit in hospital.

See where can I give birth? for more information about giving birth in hospital.

During labour you'll be looked after by a midwife, and doctors will be available if you need their help. You should bring your epilepsy medicine with you to the hospital and continue to take it as you normally would.

Read about what happens in labour.

All newborns have low levels of vitamin K so you'll be offered a vitamin K injection for your baby soon after birth to help their blood to clot. Some AED medicines can lower their vitamin K levels further.

There's usually no reason why you cannot breastfeed your baby. Even if some of your medicine gets into your milk, the benefits of breastfeeding often outweigh any risks. Your midwife, obstetrician or pharmacist can give you advice based on your circumstances.

The UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register

This nationwide project is investigating which epilepsy treatments pose the lowest risk to a baby's health. If you're pregnant and living with epilepsy, you can join the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register.

When you register, you'll be asked to provide information about the treatment you're taking. Information about the health of your baby will be collected after your baby is born. This helps doctors give the best advice to those living with epilepsy who are thinking of getting pregnant.

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If you have epilepsy you may be nervous about what it means for your pregnancy and baby. Try not to worry, as it is likely that you will have a healthy pregnancy and go on to have a healthy baby.

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Epilepsy is a common condition that affects the brain and causes frequent seizures.
Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works. They can cause a wide range of symptoms.

Epilepsy can start at any age, but usually starts either in childhood or in people over 60.

It's often lifelong, but can sometimes get slowly better over time.

Symptoms of epilepsy

Seizures can affect people in different ways, depending on which part of the brain is involved.

Possible symptoms include:

uncontrollable jerking and shaking, called a "fit"

losing awareness and staring blankly into space

becoming stiff

strange sensations, such as a "rising" feeling in the tummy, unusual smells or tastes, and a tingling feeling in your arms or legs

collapsing

Sometimes you might pass out and not remember what happened.

When to get medical help

See a GP if you think you might have had a seizure for the first time.

This does not mean you have epilepsy, as a seizure can have several causes and sometimes they're just a one-off, but you should see a doctor to find out why it happened.

Find out more about the tests for epilepsy you might have

Call 999 for an ambulance if someone:

is having a seizure for the first time

has a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes

has lots of seizures in a row

has breathing problems or has seriously injured themselves

Find out what to do if someone has a seizure

Treatments for epilepsy

Treatment can help most people with epilepsy have fewer seizures or stop having seizures completely.

Treatments include:

medicines called anti-epileptic drugs - these are the main treatment

surgery to remove a small part of the brain that's causing the seizures

a procedure to put a small electrical device inside the body that can help control seizures

a special diet (ketogenic diet) that can help control seizures

Some people need treatment for life. But you might be able to stop treatment if your seizures disappear over time.

Living with epilepsy

Epilepsy is usually a lifelong condition, but most people with it are able to have normal lives if their seizures are well controlled.

Most children with epilepsy are able to go to a mainstream school, take part in most activities and sports, and get a job when they're older.

But you may have to think about your epilepsy before you do things such as driving, certain jobs, swimming, using contraception and planning a pregnancy.

Advice is available from a GP or support groups to help you adjust to life with epilepsy.
Find out more about living with epilepsy

Causes of epilepsy

In epilepsy, the electrical signals in the brain become scrambled and there are sometimes sudden bursts of electrical activity. This is what causes seizures.

In most cases, it's not clear why this happens. It's possible it could be partly caused by your genes affecting how your brain works, as around 1 in 3 people with epilepsy have a family member with it.

Occasionally, epilepsy can be caused by damage to the brain, such as damage from:

Page last reviewed: 18 September 2020
Next review due: 18 September 2023

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Find out about epilepsy, where sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain cause seizures or fits.