Epilepsy

Description

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which brief, recurrent changes in the electrical activity of the brain lead to seizures or ‘fits’, lasting from a few seconds to several minutes.

During an epileptic seizure, brain cells may fire at many times their normal rate. In a partial seizure, only a part of the brain is involved, while in a primary, generalised seizure, the entire brain is involved. Seizures can also be classified according to the nature of the attack as:

• convulsive, in which there is a loss of consciousness, along with muscle contraction and jerking limbs [also known as tonic clonic seizures (previously known as ‘grand mal’)], and
• non-convulsive, which can be further classified as:
  • 'Absence’ seizures [also known as ‘petit mal’] – these mostly affect children and adolescents. Although there is a brief loss of consciousness, lasting for up to 30 seconds, there is no change in body position;
  • simple partial seizure – these have widely varied symptoms but there is no loss of consciousness. Depending on the area of the brain involved, limbs may jerk, or the patient may experience abnormal tastes or smells, or emotional states; as well as unusual behaviour such as lip-smacking or repetitive hand movements.
  • complex partial seizures – like simple partial seizures, these may also have widely varied symptoms, however, they involve some alteration in consciousness in addition to what has been described under simple partial seizures.

There are many causes of epilepsy, including an injury to the brain, certain infections such as encephalitis and meningitis, and brain tumours. In the majority of cases, however, the specific cause is unknown.

Treatment

In order to get an accurate diagnosis, and to identify any underlying condition, patients will require a brain scan and a thorough physical examination. In a small number of cases [e.g. brain tumours], once the underlying illness is identified and treated, the seizures will stop.

Drug therapy is successful in preventing seizures in approximately 70–80 per cent of cases. A number of different drugs are used to control seizures, depending on the type of seizure the patient has experienced. These include carbamazepine, ethosuximide, etc.

Surgery may be considered for those patients who suffer frequent or severe seizures that cannot be controlled by medication.

Prognosis

The majority of people with epilepsy are able to live normal lives, with few restrictions on their activities. However, certain occupations involving the use of heavy machinery, working at heights or under water, should be avoided, and people with uncontrolled seizures will be unable to obtain driving licences.

Women with epilepsy should consult their doctors before becoming pregnant, so their medication can be adjusted; however, although there is a slightly increased risk, the majority of babies born to women with epilepsy are free from birth defects.

Further Information

Click here for the latest Australian research papers on Epilepsy.

Epilepsy Action Australia
Postal address: GPO Box 9878, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 1300 37 45 37
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www.epilepsy.org.au

Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria
18 Burke Rd, Camberwell VIC 3124
Ph (03) 9805 9111   
Fax (03) 9882 7159
email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.epinet.org.au

The National Society for Epilepsy – UK
www.epilepsysociety.org.au

American Epilepsy Society
www.aesnet.org

Epilepsy Foundation of America (EFA)
www.epilepsyfoundation.org

Support

Eastwood/Sydney Epilepsy Support Group

Reviewed by Professor John Willoughby, Flinders University and Medical Centre, South Australia