Epilepsy is a brain condition in which groups of neurons fire abnormally, producing recurrent seizures. It affects around 50 million people worldwide (WHO) of every age — and with correct diagnosis and medication, about 7 in 10 people become completely seizure-free.
What is epilepsy?
A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity. Epilepsy is diagnosed after two unprovoked seizures, or one seizure with test results predicting recurrence. One seizure alone is often not epilepsy.
Common symptoms
- Convulsions with loss of consciousness
- Brief blank staring spells (absence seizures)
- Sudden muscle jerks or unexplained falls
- Strange warnings: déjà-vu, rising stomach sensation, odd smells
- Confusion or deep sleep after an event; night-time tongue-biting
Risk factors
- Family history, brain injury, stroke, or brain infection
- Birth-related brain injury
- Missed medication, sleep deprivation, and alcohol — common triggers in known epilepsy
How is it diagnosed?
The event description is the heart of diagnosis — a witness video is invaluable. EEG (routine, sleep-deprived, or video-EEG) records brain electrical activity, and MRI looks for a structural cause. Fainting and functional events must be carefully excluded.
Treatment options
Anti-seizure medication, chosen for your seizure type, controls epilepsy in most people. Drug-resistant cases (about 30%) deserve specialist re-evaluation — sometimes the diagnosis or drug match is the real problem — and workup for advanced options.
Seizure first aid — what actually helps
Stay calm, time the seizure, protect the head, turn the person on their side, and never put anything in the mouth. Call an ambulance if the seizure lasts over 5 minutes, repeats, or breathing does not return to normal.
When should you see a neurologist?
After any first seizure; if seizures continue despite medication; before pregnancy; or when medication side effects trouble you.
Emergency warning signs: a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, back-to-back seizures, injury, or difficulty breathing afterwards — call 998.
Key takeaways
- One seizure is not necessarily epilepsy.
- 70% of patients become seizure-free on the right medication.
- Never put anything in a seizing person's mouth.
- Sleep, medication adherence, and avoiding triggers matter.
- Driving rules depend on seizure-free duration — discuss them openly.
References
International League Against Epilepsy. (2017). Operational classification of seizure types. https://www.ilae.org World Health Organization. (2024). Epilepsy fact sheet. https://www.who.int NICE. (2022). Epilepsies in children, young people and adults (NG217).