HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury

Epilepsy

Mate hukihuki

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that affects around 1% of people. It can affect people of all ages. People with epilepsy have seizures that are caused by brief abnormal electrical activity in their brains.

There are different types of seizures and epilepsy can be mild, severe or anywhere in between.

Epilepsy is often caused by genetic changes in brain cells. These may be passed on from parents (inherited).

Other causes are:

• head injuries
• stroke
• brain tumours
• drug and alcohol abuse
• infection
• birth injury
• genetic disorders.

There are many forms of epilepsy, each of which can cause different types of seizures.

Diagnosing epilepsy

It can be difficult to diagnose epilepsy. Doctors use a detailed history of your symptoms, including hearing from people who have seen the possible seizure.

Possible tests include an EEG (measuring your brain's electrical activity) and CT or MRI scans of your brain.

Treating epilepsy

See Seizure first aid for advice on what to do if someone is having a seizure.

Epilepsy can usually be controlled with medication. There are several different types of medication used and it can take time to find the one medication or combination of medications that works for you. It can depend on the type of epilepsy you have and if you have unwanted side effects.

If medication doesn't work for you, some types of epilepsy may be treated with surgery or special medically supervised diets.

Self-care for epilepsy

Most people with epilepsy live a normal active life.

Eating well, being physically active, getting enough sleep and limiting alcohol are important with epilepsy.

Some people can identify triggers for their epilepsy and learn to avoid them.

There are steps you can take to improve your safety in case of a seizure.

Epilepsy New Zealand has more detailed information on all aspects of living well with epilepsy.

  HealthInfo recommends the following videos

• Epilepsy Foundation - First aid for seizures

  An overview of epilepsy and seizure first aid. (The video tells you call 911 if the person doesn't respond. This is an American video. The emergency number in New Zealand is 111.)

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Epilepsy New Zealand

  This website has a wide range of information about epilepsy.

• ACC – Are you taking medicines for epilepsy, mood or pain?

  Information about the risks of taking anti-epileptic medicines while you're pregnant or thinking of getting pregnant.

• Healthify He Puna Wairoa – Epilepsy topics

  Information on a range of epilepsy topics.

• KidsHealth – Epilepsy in children

  Information about epilepsy in children, including what epilepsy is, what can trigger seizures and what you should do if your child has a seizure.

• New Zealand Transport Agency – Epilepsy/seizures and driving

  Information about whether you're legally allowed to drive if you have epilepsy.

• Outdoor Mindset

  Outdoor Mindset unites and empowers people affected by neurological challenges through a common passion for the outdoors. There is a New Zealand Facebook group.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed October 2022.

Sources

Page reference: 49144

Review key: HIEPI-29131