Absence seizure
Previously called
'petit mal', this is a generalised seizure involving a brief interruption
of consciousness. The person may look blank and their eyelids may flutter.
More information on seizure types
Acute side effect
Acute side effects
are those which occur soon after starting to take a drug or when the
dose is increased. They usually wear off after a few weeks, unless the
dose is too high for the person. They include effects such as headache,
dizziness and drowsiness, but the exact side effects will vary from
one drug to another.
Adjunctive treatment
Add-on therapy i.e.
an anti-epileptic drug given in addition to an existing treatment.
AED
Anti-epileptic drug.
Drug used in the treatment of epilepsy. Sometimes called anti-convulsant.
More information on anti-epileptic drugs
Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions
are side effects which occur because an individual is sensitive to a
drug. They often take the form of an itchy skin rash and usually occur
soon after treatment is started. Anyone who experiences an allergic
reaction should see a doctor immediately.
Ambulatory EEG
A portable type
of EEG which allows the electrical activity of the brain to be recorded
over a period of several hours or days. Electrodes are attached to the
scalp as normal and the recorder is worn on a belt round the waist,
so that the person can continue as normal with day to day activities.
More information on EEG
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Ataxia
Unsteadiness and
shaky movements.
Atonic seizure
Generalised seizure
involving a sudden loss of muscle tone so that the person falls to the
ground. Recovery is rapid but there may be injuries due to the fall.
More information on seizure types
Aura
Also called a warning,
this is a sensation - sometimes a strange smell or taste or a twitching
in one limb - which in some people may act as a warning that a seizure
is going to happen. The aura is actually a simple partial seizure and
may sometimes occur in isolation, without progressing any further.
More information on seizure types
Automatism
Automatic or altered
behaviour which occurs during a complex partial seizure, such as lip
smacking, rearranging objects, chewing, plucking at clothing and undressing.
More information on seizure types
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Benign
Describes a condition
or disorder that is not harmful, or that is likely to have good outcome.
Brand name
The name given to
a drug by the company which manufactures it.
More information on drug names
Catamenial epilepsy
Epilepsy where the
seizures only occur just before or during menstruation.
More information on epilepsy in women
Chronic side effect
Chronic side effects
are those which develop after a person has been taking a particular
drug for a number of years. The type of side effects which occur will
vary from one drug to another.
Community care
assessment
An assessment carried
out by a social worker, to assess what needs a person has and what help
they may require. Sometimes called assessment of needs.
More information on help from social
services
Complementary
therapies
Complementary therapy
refers to various forms of treatment which are not considered orthodox
and which do not involve prescribing conventional drugs. They include
acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy and many others.
In epilepsy some of these therapies might be used alongside, but not
as an alternative to, existing drug treatment.
More information on complementary
therapies
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Complex partial
seizure
Partial seizure
in which the person's awareness is impaired. The person may show confused
behaviour and 'automatisms' such as lip-smacking, chewing, undressing,
picking up objects and wandering aimlessly. The seizure usually lasts
a few minutes and the person has no memory of what has happened. This
type of seizure often originates in the temporal lobe of the brain,
in which case the person may be said to have temporal lobe epilepsy.
However complex partial seizures may also originate in other lobes (areas)
of the brain.
More information on seizure types
Compliance
Taking medication
as prescribed i.e. the correct dose at the correct times.
Contraception
Something that is
used to prevent pregnancy eg. condom or contraceptive pill.
More information on contraception and
epilepsy
Cryptogenic epilepsy
Epilepsy where the
cause of the condition is not known but a cause is suspected.
CT or CAT scan
Computerised Tomography
or Computerised Axial Tomography- a brain scan which uses X-rays to
produce a picture of the brain. It is carried out to see if there are
any structural abnormalities in the brain which may be causing seizures.
More information about diagnosing
epilepsy
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DDA
Disability Discrimination
Act. The act was passed in 1995 and makes it against the law to treat
disabled people less favourably than other people, without justification.
The act covers employment, access to goods, facilities and services,
and buying or renting land or property.
More information on employment
Diazepam
Emergency medication
given to stop a prolonged seizure. Sometimes given rectally.
More information on emergency drug treatments
Diplopia
Double vision.
Dose related side
effects
These side effects
usually occur when the dose of a drug is too high for that individual
person. If the dose is reduced, the symptoms may improve. The most common
dose related effects include drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, poor
concentration and headache.
Drug
interactions
If a person is taking
more than one drug, the drugs may affect each other in such a way as
to make them more or less effective, or to cause side effects. Not all
drugs will affect each other; interactions only happen with certain
combinations of drugs.
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EEG
Electroencephalogram.
A test often carried out when a person is believed to be possibly having
seizures. The test is painless and involves electrodes being attached
to the scalp, which measure the electrical activity of the brain. The
EEG does not make a definite diagnosis and the results will be considered
alongside other information about the seizures.
More information on EEG
Enzyme
Natural protein
in the body which helps with chemical reactions
Enzyme-inducing
drugs
Drugs which increase
the levels of enzymes, making chemical reactions in the body faster.
Some anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are enzyme-inducing. These drugs can
affect how other drugs work, such as the contraceptive pill.
Epilepsy
A neurological condition
in which a person has a tendency to have repeated seizures which originate
in the brain.
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Febrile convulsions
Seizures that occur
at the time of a fever, in children aged between 3 months and 6 years.
The seizures are usually short tonic clonic convulsions. Long term anti-epileptic
medication following a febrile convulsion is rarely given. Only a small
number of children who have had febrile seizures go on to develop epilepsy.
First
line drug
Drugs which are
licensed to be prescribed on their own. There is further information
on first line drugs on the drug treament page.
More information on anti-epileptic drugs
Focal
seizure
See partial seizure
Frontal
lobe
The part of the
brain which is involved in movement and some aspects of thought, behaviour
and emotion.
Frontal
lobe seizures
Seizures which originate
in the frontal lobe of the brain. They are usually simple partial, complex
partial or secondarily generalised seizures.
More information on seizure types
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Gamma knife
A relatively new
form of surgery which uses gamma radiation to destroy the part of the
brain which the surgeon has identified as being the cause of epilepsy.
More information on surgery
Gelastic
seizures
Seizures which start
with the person appearing to smile or laugh. They are associated with
malformations in the part of the brain known as the hypothalamus.
Generalised
seizures
Generalised seizures
are those in which the abnormal electrical activity begins in both hemispheres
(sides) of the brain at the same time.
More information on seizure types
Generic
name
The chemical or
scientific name of a drug. This applies regardless of which company
has made the drug.
More information on drug names
Grand
mal
See tonic clonic
seizure.
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Hippocampus
Part of the temporal
lobe of the brain, involved in memory.
Hirsutism
Growth of excessive
and coarse hair on the face, chest, back or abdomen.
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Ictal
During a seizure.
Immunisation
Protection against
viruses by stimulating the body's natural defences, usually by giving
a small amount of the virus or bacteria. Also called vaccination or
inoculation.
More information on immunisation and
epilepsy
Idiopathic
epilepsy
Epilepsy where the
cause of the condition is not known but genetic factors are believed
to be a factor.
More information on causes of epilepsy
Intractable epilepsy
Epilepsy which is
difficult to treat ie. it doesn't respond well to anti-epileptic drugs.
Also called refractory epilepsy.
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Ketogenic diet
A high fat diet
sometimes used to treat severe epilepsy in children. The diet is difficult
to maintain and is only considered where medication has been found to
be ineffective.
More information on the ketogenic diet
Memory
The brain's ability
to store information and then find it again later. Some people with
epilepsy may have memory problems.
More information on memory and epilepsy
Monotherapy
The use of one drug
only in the treatment of a medical condition.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance
Imaging. This is a type of brain scan which uses magnetic fields to
produce a picture of the brain. It is used to see if there are any structural
abnormalities in the brain. MRI can reveal much more detail than a CT
scan.
More information on MRI
Myoclonic
seizure
Generalised seizure
involving brief jerks of part of or the whole body. Recovery is rapid.
More information on seizure types
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Neurological condition
A medical condition
involving the nervous system.
Neurologist
A doctor who specialises
in conditions of the nervous system.
Neuropsychiatrist
A doctor who specialises
in neurological conditions which are producing psychiatric symptoms.
Neurosurgery
Surgery which is
carried out for the treatment of conditions of the nervous system.
Nocturnal
seizures
Seizures which occur
during sleep i.e. usually at night.
Non-epileptic
seizures
Seizures which are
not due to epilepsy. The seizures may look similar to epileptic seizures,
but do not have the same characteristic changes in brain activity. May
be due to physical or psychological causes, and diagnosis is often difficult.
Also known as non-epileptic attacks (NEA) or dissociative seizures (NES).
More information on non-epileptic
seizures
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Occipital lobe
The part of the
brain which is involved in vision.
Osteoporosis
A condition where
bones lose calcium and Vitamin D, and so become more brittle and can
break more easily.
Paraesthesia
Pins and needles.
Parietal
lobe
The part of the
brain which is involved in the perception of touch.
Partial
seizures
Seizures in which
the abnormal electrical activity begins in one part of the brain. Which
part of the brain is involved will determine what actually happens during
the seizure.
More information on seizure types
Paediatrician
Doctor who specialises
in treating children. May specialise further, for example paediatric
neurologist.
PET
Positron emission
tomography. A type of brain scan which gives information about the function
and the structure of the brain. This scan may be used if epilepsy surgery
is being considered.
More information on surgery
Petit
mal
See absence seizure.
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Photosensitivity
When seizures are
triggered by lights flashing or flickering at particular frequencies
and sometimes by certain geometric shapes or patterns. Photosensitive
epilepsy affects 2-3% of people with epilepsy and is more common between
the ages of 5 and 19.
More information on photosensitive epilepsy
Polycystic
ovaries
Enlarged ovary with
cysts on the surface. Polycystic ovaries may give rise to irregular
or infrequent periods, acne, obesity, hirsutism or other symptoms.
More information on epilepsy in women
Polytherapy
The use of more
than one drug in the treatment of a medical condition.
Pseudoseizure
See non epileptic
attack.
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Rectal diazepam
See diazepam
Reflex
epilepsy
Epilepsy in which
seizures are brought on by specific triggers. The most common form of
reflex epilepsy is photosensitive epilepsy (where seizures are triggered
by flickering lights), but rarely people may have seizures occurring
as a result of triggers such as reading, loud noises or hot showers.
More information on photosensitive epilepsy
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Second line drug
Drugs which are
usually taken in addition to an existing first line drug.
More information on anti-epileptic drugs
Secondarily
generalised seizure
Seizures where the
abnormal electrical activity starts in one part of the brain and then
spreads to involve the whole brain. The seizure begins as a partial
seizure - this is the warning, and sometimes this phase is extremely
brief - and then becomes a generalised seizure, most commonly tonic
clonic.
More information on seizure types
Seizure
A seizure occurs
when there is excessive and uncontrolled electrical activity in the
brain. Seizures begin suddenly and involve a change in awareness or
behaviour, for example involuntary movements, unusual sensations and
confused behaviour.
More information on seizures
Seizure
threshold
A person's resistance
to seizures, which may be inherited from parent to child. Someone who
has a low seizure threshold will be more likely to have seizures spontaneously.
More information on epilepsy and inheritance
Serum
levels
The blood level
of a drug within the body. Serum levels are not tested routinely in
epilepsy, but may be carried out in certain situations and with particular
anti-epileptic drugs.
More information on drug levels
Simple
partial seizure
A partial seizure
in which the person remains fully conscious but experiences unusual
sensations such as strange tastes or smells, feelings of fear or dČjý
vu, or involuntary twitching of limbs. A simple partial seizure is often
called an aura or warning, because it may precede another type of seizure.
More information on seizure types
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Sleep-deprived
EEG
EEG test where the
person is asked to go without sleep for a short time before the test,
so that they are more likely to sleep during the test. For some people,
irregular brain activity is more likely to happen when they are asleep
or falling asleep.
More information on EEG
SPECT
Single photon emission
computerised tomography. A type of brain scan which gives information
about the function and the structure of the brain. This scan may be
used if epilepsy surgery is being considered.
More information on surgery
Status
epilepticus
When a seizure continues
for a prolonged period, or when seizures occur one after the other with
no recovery between. Status epilepticus is an emergency and requires
immediate medical attention.
More information on status epilepticus
Subclinical
seizures
Subclinical seizures
occur when there is epileptic activity in the brain, but no clearly
defined evidence of a seizure.
SUDEP
Sudden unexpected
death in epilepsy. Death occurring suddenly in a person with epilepsy
who has previously been healthy and where no cause of death can be found.
More information on SUDEP and risk
Symptomatic
epilepsy
Epilepsy where the
cause of the condition is known.
Syndrome
A combination of
signs and/or symptoms occurring together in a person, which indicates
a particular disorder.
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Temporal lobe
The part of the
brain which is involved in speech, language, memory and in the perception
of smell and taste.
Temporal
lobe epilepsy
Epilepsy where the
seizures originate in the temporal lobe of the brain. The seizures are
usually complex partial seizures.
More information on seizure types
Teratogenic
Teratogenic drugs
are those which may cause abnormalities in the unborn child, if taken
during pregnancy.
More information on pregnancy
Therapeutic
dose
The dose of a drug
which is most likely to be effective with minimal side effects. However
the most appropriate dose will vary from one person to another.
Tonic
clonic seizure
Also called convulsion
or 'grand mal', this is a generalised seizure. The person becomes stiff
and may fall. This is followed by rhythmical jerking of the limbs, usually
lasting a few minutes. The person may bite their tongue and may be incontinent.
They may feel confused or sleepy afterwards, and take a while to recover
fully.
More information on seizure types
Tonic
seizure
Generalised seizure
in which the person's body becomes stiff and they may fall backwards.
The seizure usually lasts less than a minute and recovery is rapid.
More information on seizure types
Toxicity
When a drug is having
an extremely adverse effect on a person. This may occur if the dose
is too high or if several drugs are interacting with each other.
Trigger
Situations which
can bring on a seizure for a particular person. Not every person with
epilepsy will have triggers for their seizures, but common triggers
include tiredness, alcohol or stress.
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Video telemetry
This test involves
simultaneous EEG and video recording, in order to try to record a seizure
on video as well as the corresponding EEG trace.
More information on EEG
VNS
Vagus nerve stimulation.
In this technique a small generator is implanted in the person's chest.
The generator stimulates the vagus nerve which may prevent the abnormal
brain activity that gives rise to a seizure. The technique may help
to reduce the frequency or severity of seizures in some people.
More information on VNS
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