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Epilepsy

Medline NLM definition: paroxysmal transient disturbances of brain function that may be manifested as episodic impairment or loss of consciousness, abnormal motor phenomena, psychic or sensory disturbances, or perturbation of the autonomic nervous system. Symptoms are due to paroxysmal disturbance of the electrical activity of the brain. On the basis of origin, epilepsy is idiopathic (cryptogenic, essential, genetic) or symptomatic (acquired, organic) (Dorland, 27th ed).

Epilepsy: information from the NHS website.

Epilepsy and Seizures: information from Patient UK website.

Epilepsy: factsheet from NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (US site).

PubMed Medline search on Epilepsy.

See also our page of links for Dravet Syndrome.

Support Groups

Young Epilepsy - Young Epilepsy is the national charity working exclusively on behalf of children and young people with epilepsy.  It is a leading provider of specialist health and education services and offers support, information resources, training for professionals and also campaigns to improve access to, and quality of, health and educational services.

Epilepsy Action - Working name of the British Epilepsy Association. Site has the Information Standard and includes advice on diagnosis, first aid, driving, daily life, education and carers, among other things. The first aid information includes a free online course. Details too of support services, and information for health professionals.

Epilepsy Society - The Epilepsy Society (formerly known as the National Society for Epilepsy) traces its origins back to an organisation that founded a “colony” to provide work for people with epilepsy. Site contains information about epilepsy, and separately (under 'What we do') information for professionals, including recommended online resources, drug updates, and information for GPs and for pharmacists. There are also personal stories (under 'About epilepsy') and “Epilepsy TV”, a series of videos on a range of topics.

healthtalk.org - Epilepsy - A collection of interviews with young people about their experiences of health or illness. YouthHealthTalk. aims to identify the issues, questions and problems that matter to young people. 

Epilepsy Association of Scotland - Provide advice, information and support through their resource centres and local branches. Also provide a range of health and social care services including counselling. Supporting children with epilepsy and their parents is a prime concern of the EAS.

SUDEP Action - A national and international voluntary organisation working to prevent unnecessary deaths from SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) and other epilepsy deaths.

Brain and Spine Foundation - Information on living with a neurological condition and on diagnosis. There are publications and resources. The useful glossary of neurological conditions (under 'Information and support') includes links to some other organisations as well as to Brain and Spine Foundation information.

Healthtalk: nerves and brain - Personal experiences of people living with various neurological conditions.

Neurological Alliance - Collective voice for 80 organisations, including stroke and brain injury. Organisations are listed at https://www.neural.org.uk/our-members/, a good place to start if looking for information on those conditions. Site also includes information about living with a neurological condition, a glossary, and information about onset and diagnosis as well as a small set of real life stories.

NHS Inform: brain, nerves and spinal cord - NHS inform is Scotland's national health information service, with the aim of providing the people in Scotland with accurate and relevant information to help them make informed decisions about their own health and the health of the people they care for.
 

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