Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes seizures. The condition most commonly starts in childhood or in people over the age of 60. Seizures occur due to excessive electrical activity in the brain and will vary in severity from person to person.
Epilepsy can have many different causes, and in some people no clear cause is ever found. For others, epilepsy may be linked to changes in the structure or function of the brain, or to genetic factors that affect how brain cells communicate.
Some common factors that can contribute to epilepsy include:
Genetics
Research suggests that genetics may play a role in some types of epilepsy. Around one in three people with epilepsy have a family history of the condition.
Changes or Damage to the Brain
Epilepsy can develop when an area of the brain is damaged or scarred. This may be due to:
Long-term heavy alcohol use, or withdrawal from alcohol or certain drugs, may also increase the risk of seizures in some individuals.
Epilepsy Syndromes
Some people are diagnosed with specific epilepsy syndromes, which often begin in childhood and have characteristic seizure patterns. Examples include:
The main symptom of epilepsy is recurrent (repeated) seizures.
Seizures can look very different from person to person, depending on which area of the brain is involved. Some seizures cause obvious physical symptoms, while others may be more subtle. Possible seizure symptoms can include:
Not every seizure requires emergency treatment. However, emergency medical help is recommended if:
Epilepsy can affect people in different ways, depending on the type and frequency of their seizures. For some, seizures are well controlled with treatment, while others may continue to experience seizures despite trying different medicines.
The unpredictable nature of seizures can make planning daily activities more challenging and may contribute to feelings of stress or anxiety.
People with epilepsy may adjust certain parts of their daily routine – for example at work, when travelling or during social activities – to feel more prepared and comfortable in case a seizure occurs.
Support from healthcare professionals, employers, friends and family can play an important role in helping individuals maintain independence and quality of life.
There are several approaches to managing epilepsy. The most common is anti-epileptic medication, which aims to reduce how often seizures occur.
Some people find it helpful to track their seizures and note what was happening before, during, and after each episode. This can help identify potential triggers.
For a small number of people, surgery may be considered – usually when seizures consistently originate from one specific area of the brain. However, surgery is not suitable for everyone, including many people with treatment-resistant epilepsy.
If surgery isn’t appropriate, other options may be explored. These include neurostimulation devices, which send electrical signals to help regulate seizure activity.
In some situations, a ketogenic diet may be successful, particularly when epilepsy is related to certain metabolic conditions. However, some find the diet challenging to maintain.
In cases where traditional treatments have not been effective, a specialist doctor may consider medical cannabis as an option.
Medical cannabis may be considered for some patients with epilepsy when standard treatments such as anti-epileptic medications or surgery have not been effective.
View our FAQ’s section and learn more about all the conditions that can be treatable with medical cannabis.
