What is epilepsy?

What is epilepsy?

Many people will have a one-off seizure at some point in their lives, but not all seizures are due to epilepsy. Seizures can happen for many different reasons, such as diabetes or a heart condition. Epilepsy is different as it is a neurological condition where there is a tendency for people to have seizures that start in the brain.

It is the most common serious neurological condition in the UK and possibly the world. One in every 131 people in the UK has epilepsy. This means that there are at least 456,000 people with epilepsy in the UK. Epilepsy is more common in children and people over 65, but anyone can develop epilepsy; it happens in all ages, races and social classes. There are over 40 types of epilepsy, so just knowing that a person ‘has epilepsy’ tells you very little information about their epilepsy and the seizures that they have.

Seizures

There are lots of different types of seizures. Find out more about types of seizures.

Triggers

For some people with epilepsy, triggers (such as stress or tiredness) can bring on a seizure.

Back2Basics articles

Detailed articles first published in our members' magazine, Epilepsy Review.

Causes of epilepsy

There are many potential reasons why someone may develop epilepsy. However, causes of epilepsy can be put into three groups.

Epilepsy - did you know?

Facts about epilepsy.