Epilepsy - what is it?
epilepsy; convulsion; fit; seizure; convulsions; fits; seizures; brain; petit mal; absence; grand mal; tonic; clonic; first aid;
Contents
The brain is made up of millions of cells called neurones. These cells send messages to each other using chemicals called neurotransmitters. Usually these messages are sent in a very orderly way, but sometimes they become uncontrolled and a seizure may be triggered. Seizures may also be called fits or convulsions.
Anyone could have a seizure if something major happened to their brain, but for some people seizures are triggered much more easily.
Young people with epilepsy can usually do the same things as other people, but they may have to take special care with some activities (eg. rock climbing or surfing).
There are topics on the Parenting and Child Health section of this site - Epilepsy, Teenagers with epilepsy and Febrile convulsions - which have a lot more detail about epilepsy.
Types of seizures
There are many types of seizures (or epileptic fits). The common types are:
Absence seizures (previously called petit mal)
- The person suddenly stops moving or talking, his face goes blank, and his eyelids flicker.
- The episode rarely lasts more than 30 seconds, then he goes on with what he was doing before.
- A person usually is not drowsy after an absence seizure, and does not realise that it has happened.
- This can happen many times a day.
Generalised tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal)
- The person suddenly loses consciousness, her eyes roll back, and all of the body's muscles contract (the person goes stiff). This is the 'tonic' part of the seizure.
- Breathing stops (for a few moments), so that the person often goes blue.
- After a short time (usually less than 30 seconds) the muscles relax and contract (stiffen) rhythmically for some time, from seconds to a few minutes (the 'clonic' phase).
- Often there is loss of bladder control and the person wets her pants.
- After the muscle contractions stop, the person usually sleeps or is drowsy for 30 minutes to several hours.
Other seizures
- There are many other sorts of seizures which might cause, for example, odd movements. See the site of the Epilepsy Action Australia for more information (link below).
What to do if someone is having a seizure
What first aid is needed depends on the type of seizure. Someone with an absence seizure, for example, usually does not need any first aid.
If the person is having a tonic-clonic seizure:
- Move harmful objects away, or move the person to a safe place.
- Place something soft under the person's head and shoulders.
- Do not put anything into the mouth.
- Do not try to hold the person down, or try to stop the movements.
- As soon as the seizure has stopped, roll him onto his side to help with breathing.
- Make sure someone stays with the person after the seizure until he is fully awake and aware, because most people will have a period of sleep or drowsiness, and then be confused when they wake up.
Call for emergency help, eg. an Ambulance (000 in Australia) if:
- a seizure lasts for longer than 5 minutes
- another seizure follows soon after the first
- the person has been injured
- you are not sure what to do.
Treating epilepsy
- Most people are not started on any medicine after the first seizure unless it was long or unusual, or they have repeated seizures.
- There are many different medicines used for epilepsy, depending on the type of seizures and how often seizures are happening.
- It is very important, once a person is taking any medicine for epilepsy, not to stop it suddenly, as this can trigger a severe seizure.
Other problems caused by epilepsy
- Most young people who have epilepsy will have only a few seizures, and their seizures will be well controlled on medication.
- If the seizures only happen occasionally, there will usually be no effects on their learning or development.
- Some people may have many seizures even with treatment, and they will often have difficulties with development and learning. The effects of epilepsy depend on the type and the cause.
- People with epilepsy are encouraged to be active and to live a normal life. However if the seizures are not under control, some activities may need to be limited (eg. swimming may need to be very closely supervised).
The topic Living with epilepsy has more information about the difficulties that can happen.
Resources
South Australia
Epilepsy Association of South Australia and Northern Territory,
Telephone 8448 5600
Epilepsy Helpline 1300 852 853
http://www.epilepsycentre.org.au/home.html
References
Epilepsy Action Australia
http://www.epilepsy.org.au/
Gellerstedt, E. 'Seizures' in Garfunkel et al (Ed), 'Mosby's Pediatric Clinical Advisor', Mosby Inc., 2002
National Institute for Clinical Excellence (UK) 'The diagnosis and care of children and adults with epilepsy: information for people with epilepsy, their families and carers, and the public' October 2004
http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG020publicinfoenglish.pdf
Links
Epilepsy Action Australia
http://www.epilepsy.org.au
EpiAction (British Epilepsy Association)
http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/
Epilepsy Foundation of America
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/
Epinet - Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria
http://www.epinet.org.au
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).