Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures. It involves a sudden and abnormal surge in the brain’s electrical activity, leading to a temporary ‘short circuit’ and resulting in a seizure.
Several misconceptions about epilepsy are clarified below:
Epilepsy can stem from various factors affecting the brain, such as infections (e.g., meningitis or encephalitis), head injuries, birth-related complications , brain tumours or inherited disorders like tuberous sclerosis.
While epilepsy might run in some families, everyone is born with a unique 'seizure threshold'—, the point at which they may experience a seizure if the brain is sufficiently irritated. This, two children with similar brain injuries might have different risks of developing epilepsy, depending on their individual seizure thresholds.
In some cases, the exact cause remains undetermined. Chemical forms of epilepsy may be linked to imbalances in neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) or specific receptors in brain nerve cells.
Seizures can lead to brain damage if they are prolonged for over an hour. It is a medical emergency when a child experiences a cluster of seizures without regaining consciousness or a seizure lasting more than 30 minutes. Such situations require immediate medical intervention and treatment.
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) refers to the unanticipated death of an individual with epilepsy, who was otherwise healthy. It affects one in 1,000 people each year, more commonly in those with uncontrolled seizures1. The cause of SUDEP remains unknown, as it often happens at night or during sleep without obvious seizure evidence beforehand. Adhering to medication and avoiding triggers, such as sleep deprivation, can reduce the risk of SUDEP.
Singapore Epilepsy Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promote public awareness and education on topics surrounding epilepsy for the welfare of individuals with epilepsy.
Epilepsy Care Group (Singapore) is a non-profit, volunteer-based organisation that addresses the needs of individuals with epilepsy and their caregivers in Singapore.
At NUH, we treat many patients experiencing seizures and have established a comprehensive programme encompassing medical, nursing and education aspects to enhance seizure control. A key component of our education programme involves teaching parents and caregivers on administering first aid medication, such as rectal diazepam, during a seizure episode.
Our statistics indicate that 86% of patients whose caregivers administered rectal diazepam successfully managed to stop the seizures. This led to a significant reduction in the need for emergency room treatments or hospital admissions, with only 14% of these cases requiring further medical intervention.
Information correct as of January 2021