What should you know about minor epilepsy?

People sometimes use minor epilepsy to mean seizures that are brief, less dramatic or do not involve a fall. Episodes can include staring, pauses in awareness, unusual movements, altered sensations, memory gaps or short periods of confusion. Epilepsy refers to a tendency to have recurrent unprovoked seizures, but one episode does not establish it. Fainting, sleep problems, migraine and other conditions can resemble seizures, so a careful account from a witness can be useful.

Arrange a GP consultation after a first unexplained episode or repeated spells. Record the time, setting, warning sensations, movements, awareness, recovery and possible triggers; ask a witness to write what they saw. Until assessed, take care around heights, open water, traffic and hot surfaces, and follow local driving advice. During an episode, move hazards away, cushion the head, stay calm and remain nearby. Do not restrain the person or put anything in their mouth.

Call emergency services if a seizure lasts longer than expected, repeats without recovery, causes breathing difficulty or serious injury, happens in water, occurs during pregnancy, or is a first seizure with ongoing confusion. Urgent help is also needed when the person does not return to their usual awareness or the event may have followed poisoning or a major head injury.

Ask what other explanations should be considered, whether tests or specialist review are needed, what activities are safe meanwhile, and how to create an individual seizure action plan. Discuss medicine benefits, side effects and what to do after a missed dose if treatment is prescribed.