Epilepsy was historically known as the sacred disease because, in the absence of neurological knowledge, the seizures associated with it were often believed to be caused by evil spirits. Today, epileptics are still stereotyped as victims but the condition varies greatly in severity and while some sufferers need constant help, others, such as Neil Young, the rock star, have successful careers.

Epilepsy is one of the most misunderstood neurological conditions yet also one of the most common, affecting around 1 in 130 people in Britain, according to the National Society for Epilepsy (NSE). Part of the confusion is that epilepsy is a broad term for a variety of similar problems often with different causes. The common factor is seizures.

One in 20 people will experience a one-off epileptic seizure, but this does not necessarily mean they have epilepsy. That said, around half of those who have one seizure without a clear cause will have another. If two seizures occur, there’s a strong chance of more.

There are over 40 types of seizure. These range from patients who appear to be “daydreaming” for a few seconds to those who suffer whole-body convulsions for minutes. The most common causes include brain damage or scarring (usually due to injury or surgery) and chemical or hormonal imbalance. In some cases, the cause is unknown.

Epilepsy is usually treated with a combination of the 19 antiepileptic drugs available in the UK. These aim to stop seizures occurring but are not a cure. In extreme cases, brain surgery may be an option, as may vagus nerve stimulation, where a device is implanted to send regular electrical signals to the brain. Around two-thirds of those who have surgery become seizure-free.

The key for future treatments could be genetics. “The aim is to predict in advance – following a simple blood test – which drugs will work best for each individual,” said Amanda Cleaver of the NSE. For the 50m sufferers worldwide, such progress cannot come too soon.

TAKING IT FURTHER

www.epilepsynse.org.uk
Thorough and constantly updated website from the National Society for Epilepsy

www.epilepsyresearch.org.uk
This site has information on the latest epilepsy research both in the UK and overseas

www.epilepsy.org.uk
Provides free help and advice about coping with the condition and all types of seizures

ESSENTIAL GEAR FOR COPING WITH EPILEPSY

MedicAlert bracelet
£20 from www.medicalert.org.uk
A problem for some epileptics is being taken to hospital unnecessarily after a seizure. MedicAlert bracelets have a patient’s vital information engraved on them so that ambulance crews can see they are epileptic

MiniTell daily alarmed pill box
£20.50 from www.pivotell.co.uk
Taking your epilepsy medication at the correct time can be the key to preventing seizures. This pocket-sized pill box dispenses pills up to five times a day with an alarm or vibrator alert.

Kensington antiglare screen
£31 from www.dabs.com
This antiglare filter fits easily over a computer screen to reduce glare and eye strain, both of which have been reported to trigger seizures in some epileptic people.

Armadillo parka
£175 from www.armadilloscooterwear.com
Ostensibly for scooter riders, this lightweight and stylish jacket contains shock-ab-sorbing pads – useful in the event of a sudden fall during a seizure.