What is epilepsy?

• Epilepsy is the tendency to have recurrent seizures that start in the brain.
• The brain uses electrical signals passing between neurones to send messages. Our brain is the ‘controlcentre’.
• Interruption to these messages or a build up of electrical signals can lead to a seizure.
• What an individual experiences during a seizure will depend on where in the brain the epileptic activity begins and how widely and rapidly it spreads.

Treatment of epilepsy

• First line treatment for epilepsy is anti-epileptic medication
• Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are prescribed to stop seizures occuring.
• AEDs are not a cure for epilepsy.
• There are over 20 different medications, which come in tablets, capsules, liquids, syrups, sprinkles.
• Other treatments include:Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
• Ketogenic Diet
• Surgery
• Complimentary medicine