Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a brain condition.

It can make a person have seizures (‘fits’ or ‘attacks’).

Some people can have a ‘trance-like’ state for a few seconds or minutes.

People often only find out that they have epilepsy when they have had a ‘fit’.

There are different kind of fits.

Other people may faint or fall to the ground and their body may shake.

Your doctor may say that you have had a ‘partial seizure’ or a ‘generalised seizure’.

A ’partial seizure’ is when only a small part of your brain is affected.

A ‘generalised seizure’ is when most of the brain is affected.

Partial seizures

Things may look, smell, feel, taste or sound different.

It may feel like things have happened before (déjà vu).

It may feel strange and like the world has become a bit ‘dreamlike’.

You may have a tingling sensation, or ‘pins and needles’ in your arm or leg.

You may have jerking and twitching on one side of your body.

You may feel a sudden emotion, such as fear or joy.

You may feel the need to chew or swallow.

You may also:

Keep opening and closing your mouth and lick your lips (smacking your lips).

Rub your hands.

Make random noises.

Pick at clothes.

Fiddle with objects.

Sometimes people do not remember having a fit at all.

You may have a partial fit before having a generalised fit.

Generalised seizures

Their whole body may twitch or jerk.

Fall to the ground as their body stiffens.

Lose consciousness, like fainting.

Wet themselves.

How you may feel after a fit:

You may have a headache.

Tired – if you need to sleep, it is okay to sleep.

If you fall down when you fit, your body may hurt.

Strange or confused.

‘Triggers’ (what may start a fit):

Not enough sleep.

Too much alcohol.

Drugs such as cocaine.

A fever (a high temperature).

Stress.

Flashing lights.

Finding out if I epilepsy

Most people go to the doctor after their first fit.

Your will need to have some of these tests:

An EEG

This can see what has been happening in your brain.

An MRI scan

This can spot anything wrong with your brain.

If your doctor thinks you have epilepsy you will need to see a neurologist. (An expert on the brain)

How is epilepsy treated?

You can help your epilepsy by:

Knowing what your triggers are.

Taking your medicine.

Seeing the doctor or nurse regularly.

There are medicines to control the fits.

Not drinking too much alcohol.

For more information contact:Epilepsy Action www.epilepsy.org.uk 0808 800 5050

Easyhealth was given permission by NHS Choices to use their health information.

The ‘Quality Checking Group’ at Generate checked that the information is easy to understand.

This is a group of advisors with learning disabilities.

This leaflet was technically checked by:Kathy Bairstow, Senior Advice & Information Services Officer

Epilepsy Action

This leaflet was made by the Easyhealth team at Generate Opportunities Ltd.

This leaflet was funded by:

Public Health, Wandsworth Council.

Made in March 2013.