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Epilepsy – ‘at your fingertips’

Epilepsy has been known for centuries, with records in the Bible and pyramids, but still too little is known about this condition, its causes and its treatment. Epilepsy can develop in anyone, at any age, but especially in childhood, adolescence and old age. At least half a million people in the UK have epilepsy. Many of them are children or teenagers. On a child, and on the family of that child, the effects of epilepsy can be devastating. Seizures may cause social rejection and isolation. Those affected by epilepsy, especially children at school, may encounter ignorance, fear and prejudice. Epilepsy is the most common brain disorder in the world. It has also been one of the most overlooked and neglected of all medical problems. Fortunately seizures can now often be controlled by medication, but some epilepsies - about 20% - are extremely resistant to drug treatment. Recent research gives hope that new drug therapies are being developed that could transform the lives of sufferers. Sometimes the cause of epilepsy is unknown. Sometimes it is caused by an accident, such as a serious head injury. Some people are born with epilepsy. Much progress has been made by research into the causes of epilepsy and its treatment, but epilepsy is not a 'headline' condition like cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis. So much more information and advice is needed about how to help people who have epilepsy.

Authors: Brian Chappell and Professor Pamela Crawford