neurological⚑ High burden in India

Epilepsy

is a group of disorders characterized by a tendency for recurrent, unprovoked . A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from brief lapses of awareness or muscle jerks to prolonged . These episodes can result in physical injuries, either directly, such as broken bones, or through causing accidents. The of epilepsy typically requires at least two unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart. In some cases, it may be diagnosed after a single unprovoked seizure if evidence suggests a high risk of . Isolated seizures that occur without recurrence risk or are provoked by identifiable causes are not considered indicative of epilepsy.

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

Symptoms — what it feels like

·Periods of loss of consciousness, abnormal shaking, staring, change in vision, mood changes and/or other disturbances

Causes — why it happens

·Unknown, brain injury, , brain , of the brain, birth defects

How it's found

·, ruling out other possible causes

Treatment

·Medication, , neurostimulation, dietary changes

Outlook

·Controllable in 69%

Did you know?

Never force a spoon into a seizing person's mouth - no one can swallow their tongue

It can break teeth or block breathing; instead turn them on their side. About 7 in 10 people with epilepsy become seizure-free on medicine.

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Source: WHO / NHS

The sections below are general education drawn from public guidelines (NHS, Mayo, CPIC, WHO, ICMR). They are not individually reviewed by a clinician and are not medical advice — always talk to a doctor about your own health.

Myths vs facts

✕Epilepsy is contagious — you can catch a fit by touching the person or being near them during a seizure.

✓ is not contagious. It comes from sudden bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. You cannot catch it by touching someone, sharing food or water, or being close to a seizure.The fear of 'catching' epilepsy leads to people being pushed away socially and children being pulled out of school for no reason.

✕Seizures are caused by evil spirits, black magic, or a curse, so the cure is prayer, an exorcism, or a temple ritual.

✓ are a medical event, not a spiritual one. Common causes include head injury, brain (such as , a worm infection common in India), birth injury, or ; often no cause is found. The right response is a doctor and, if needed, medication.Taking a person to a faith healer first instead of a doctor is one of the main reasons epilepsy goes untreated in India, even though treatment is cheap and effective.

✕During a seizure you should force a spoon, iron key or leather belt into the person's mouth to stop them swallowing their tongue, and make them smell an onion or a shoe to wake them.

✓Never put anything in the mouth — it can break teeth or block breathing, and no one can swallow their tongue. Instead, gently turn the person onto their side, cushion their head, remove nearby hard objects, and time the seizure. Get medical help if it lasts more than 5 minutes or repeats.These 'first aid' myths cause real injuries; the safe steps are simple and cost nothing.

✕People with epilepsy are mentally unstable and cannot study, work, marry or have children.

✓Most people with have normal intelligence and, with treatment, live completely ordinary lives — school, jobs, marriage and children. About 7 in 10 people become seizure-free with the right medicine.Epilepsy is still treated as a barrier to marriage in many families, causing secrecy and stopping people from getting the treatment that would control it.

WHO — Epilepsy (fact sheet) ↗NHS — Epilepsy ↗

Test yourself

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4 quick questions on Epilepsy. Tap an answer to check it.

1. Epilepsy is a condition mainly involving what?

2. What is a seizure?

3. Which test is commonly used to help diagnose epilepsy?

4. How is epilepsy most often managed?

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Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.