Epilepsy
Symptoms and Seizure Types
The main symptom of epilepsy is repeated seizures. Symptoms vary heavily based on where the electrical disturbance occurs in the brain.
Generalised Seizures
Involve both sides of the brain at once. Examples include tonic-clonic seizures (muscle stiffening followed by rapid jerking) and absence
Focal Seizures
Begin in a specific area of the brain. They can cause twitching, unusual tastes or smells, emotional shifts or automatic movements like lip-smacking, during which a person may remain fully conscious or have impaired awareness.
Core Causes
In about half of all cases, the exact cause of epilepsy remains completely unknown. When a cause is identified, it usually stems from
Structural Issues
Brain damage from a stroke, tumors or severe head trauma.
Infections
Conditions affecting the brain such as meningitis or neurocysticercosis.
Genetic Factors
Inherited genes or spontaneous genetic mutations that alter brain cell communication.
Developmental Conditions
Associations with conditions like autism or prenatal brain injuries.
Common Seizure Triggers
Many individuals with epilepsy find that specific circumstances lower their seizure threshold. Common triggers include:
Extreme stress or anxiety
Sleep deprivation and fatigue
Illness or high fever
Alcohol use or withdrawal
Flashing lights (though this only affects about 3% of people with the condition)
According to guidelines from organisations like the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), diagnosis typically requires at least two unprovoked seizures. Specialists rely on medical history, first-hand witness descriptions, Electroencephalograms (EEGs) to track brain waves and MRI scans to inspect brain structure.
The primary treatment involves Anti-Seizure Medications (ASMs), which manage brain chemistry to prevent electrical surges. For drug-resistant epilepsy, alternative treatments include specialised dietary therapies (like the ketogenic diet), implanted neurostimulator devices or resective brain surgery.