Why does epilepsy cause seizure?

What a person experiences depends on where that activity starts and how it spreads. It may affect movement, awareness, feelings, sensations, speech, or behaviour.

The brain uses electrical signals to coordinate the body. During a seizure, the signals become temporarily disorganised. Some seizures cause staring or confusion, while others cause stiffening, jerking, or a fall. Seizure is a very common presentation of Epilepsy.

Triggers such as missed prescribed medicine, poor sleep, illness, alcohol, or flashing lights may matter for some people, but triggers vary. A seizure diary can reveal patterns for an individual's care team.

Take anti-seizure medicine exactly as prescribed and discuss any side effects before stopping or changing it. Share a seizure action plan with people close to you, including the first-aid steps and emergency contacts.

During a convulsive seizure, protect the person from injury, cushion the head, time the seizure, and turn them onto their side when safe. Remain calm while they recover.

Call emergency services when a seizure continues for several minutes, repeats without the person returning to their usual state, causes breathing difficulty or injury, occurs in water, or is the first known seizure. Contact the treating clinician after a change in seizure pattern.

Ask which seizure type is suspected, what may trigger episodes for you, and when it is safe to return to work, driving, sport, or swimming. Review a written action plan at regular appointments.