Epilepsy is a disorder of the
brain function characterised by recurrent seizures.
There are many types of seizure and a wide range
of differential diagnoses making giagnosis potentially
very difficult. However, they can be catogorised
into three groups, simple partial, complex partial
and generalised.
Epilepsy occurs in 1 in 200 people and can
affect an estimated 1 family in every 45 at
any one time. It occurs in people of either
sex, any race, social or age group, and affects
people of all levels of intellectual ability.
It can develop in anyone at any age but starts
most commonly in childhood or adolescence. It
can develop in the older person because of a
stroke, a heart attack, neuro-vascular disease,
tumour, degenerative disease, infection, or
metabolic disorder. Many of these are becoming
more common because of people living longer.
Epilepsy involves a disturbance in the brain's
normal electrical activity and can take many
forms. Almost 40 different kinds of seizure
are recognised, the majority of which are short-lived
and self-limiting. The pattern a seizure takes
depend on where in the brain the disturbance
first starts, and where and how quickly that
disturbance spreads.
the four main types:
ABSENCES (PREVIOUSLY CALLED
'PETIT MAL') - The person looks blank for
a few seconds and will not respond as there
is a brief loss of consciousness but the person
doesn't fall over. This type of seizure is
not always easy to recognise and the person
may not always be aware that they have had
a seizure.
TONIC CLONIC SEIZURES (PREVIOUSLY
CALLED 'GRAND MAL') - The person stiffens,
usually falls to the floor then convulses.
He or she may go blue, bite his or her tongue,
or be incontinent. This is what most people
think of as 'epilepsy'. The person may appear
distressed but often this type of seizure
is more worrying to those witnessing it than
for the person having the seizure. The best
way to avoid being frightened by this type
of seizure is to have basic first aid knowledge
and an awareness of epilepsy. (See other factsheets).
PARTIAL SEIZURES (OFTEN REFERRED
TO AS 'SIMPLE PARTIAL SEIZURES') - The person
can experience a range of strange or unusual
sensations, including sudden, jerky movements
or tingling of one body part, distortions
in smell, hearing or vision, stomach discomfort,
or a sudden sense of fear. Consciousness is
not important. If another seizure type follows,
these situations may be referred to as a warning
or an 'aura'.
COMPLEX PARTIAL SEIZURES -
this type of seizure results in the person
entering an 'altered state of consciousness'.
The term 'partial' is used because only part
of the brain is affected and 'complex' because
the disturbance affects awareness. People
may experience strange and unusual feelings,
an altered sense of time, or become unaware
of their surroundings. They may behave in
odd, random and inappropriate ways (e.g. lip
smacking, plucking at clothes, moving aimlessly
or compulsively around a room or sometimes
speaking strangely). 'Partial' epilepsy may
sometimes develop into 'generalised' epilepsy
if the disturbance spreads from the localised
area to affect the whole brain.
