Conditions / Epilepsy & seizures
Epilepsy & seizures
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Draft — this page is awaiting clinical review. Do not rely on it for medical decisions.
Overview
Epilepsy is a condition in which a person has repeated seizures. A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can change movement, awareness, feelings or behaviour.
Common symptoms
- Shaking or stiffening of the body
- Staring spells or brief loss of awareness
- Sudden confusion, unusual sensations or behaviour
Get urgent help if
- A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, or seizures one after another — call 112
- A first-ever seizure, injury during a seizure, or difficulty breathing afterwards
How doctors evaluate it
- A detailed description of the events, ideally with a video
- EEG and brain imaging (MRI or CT)
- Blood tests
Treatment pathways
- Anti-seizure medicines, taken regularly
- For some people, surgery, special diets or devices
- Safety planning for school, work and travel
Frequently asked questions
Should I put something in the person's mouth during a seizure?
No. Turn them onto their side, protect their head, and time the seizure.
Can people with epilepsy live normal lives?
Many people with epilepsy control their seizures with treatment and study, work and marry like anyone else.
Find care for this condition
Find neurologists and hospitals →This website gives general health education and a directory. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or an emergency service.