What is Epilepsy?

Those of us with epilepsy are just like everyone else, except we are prone to recurrent seizures. A seizure is caused by a temporary change in the way our brain cells work. (The old name for a seizure was a 'fit').

The brain is like a computer which consists of a vast network of nerve cells called neurons. Throughout our lives literally billions of electrical messages are fired between these cells, controlling every single thing we think, feel or do.

The body has its own inbuilt balancing mechanisms. These ensure that messages usually travel between nerve cells in an orderly way. However sometimes - quite without warning - an upset in brain chemistry causes the messages to become scrambled. When this happens the neurons fire off faster than usual and in bursts. It's this disturbed activity that triggers off a seizure.

During a seizure we may black out or experience a number of unusual sensations or movements. The whole thing usually only lasts a matter of seconds or minutes, after which our brain cells return to normal.

Who has epilepsy?

Epilepsy can affect any of us, at any age and from any walk of life. Boys and men tend to be slightly more prone than girls and women - though no one really knows why. Many of those who develop epilepsy start having seizures during childhood, but it can develop at any age.

Sometimes the reason epilepsy develops is obvious: brain damage caused by a difficult birth; a severe blow to the head; a stroke which starves the brain of oxygen; or an infection of the brain such as meningitis. In some people the tendency to have seizures runs in the family. It's not epilepsy itself which is inherited but a low trigger point or 'seizure threshold'. This leads our brain cells to change their behaviour in circumstances which wouldn't cause a seizure in other people. Very occasionally the cause is a brain tumour. However, for most of us - six out of 10, in fact - the exact cause is a mystery.

Epilepsy Action

Epilepsy Action aims to improve the quality of life and promote the interests of people living with epilepsy. Their work includes:

• providing information to anyone with an interest in epilepsy

• improving the understanding of epilepsy in schools and raising educational standards

• working to give people with epilepsy a fair chance of finding and keeping a job

• raising standards of care through contact with doctors, nurses, social workers, government and other organisations

• promoting equality of access to quality care

Epilepsy Action has a network of local branches in most parts of the UK. Each branch offers support to local people and raises money to help ensure our work can continue.

• Facts about epilepsy and Epilepsy Action.

• For more information visit www.epilepsy.org.uk