Neurology | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai | Te Whatu Ora

Contact Details

Neurophysiology Enquiries
Phone 09-307 4949 x 25662

Neurology Daystay Enquiries
Phone 09-307 4949 x 25820

Neurology Outpatient Enquiries
Phone 09-307 4949 x 25524

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition where people have seizures or ‘fits’.  Seizures may present in many forms but are due to bursts of electrical activity within the brain.  These bursts can occur due to an underlying structural lesion, such as a scar, or they can occur in an otherwise completely normal brain.
 
Anyone can have a seizure if the stimulus is great enough to exceed a threshold in the brain. Factors such as fever, changes in blood chemistry, anxiety, sleep deprivation or alcohol may provoke a seizure in a susceptible person.  Although some disorders and traumas play a role in developing epilepsy many people who have epilepsy have no known reason. 
 
A seizure may present as a convulsion, unusual body movement, a change in awareness or simply a blank stare. The person may be unconscious or completely unaware of what is happening.   On other occasions, a person may feel quite strange but may retain awareness. What type of symptoms people have depends on what part of the brain is involved.
 
The diagnosis of epilepsy is made on the basis of the history so it is useful when you come to clinic if someone who has witnessed an event can come with you.  Depending on your symptoms and examination findings you may undergo an EEG test and/or a CT or an MRI of your brain to aid in the diagnosis and planning of treatment.  Not everyone needs these tests and the doctor will talk with you about what is needed.
 
Epilepsy is usually treated with medication to prevent seizures.  There will also be implications for driving if you are diagnosed with this condition, as it needs to be well controlled before you can drive.  Your doctor will discuss this with you.
 
For more information visit www.epilepsy.org.nz

https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/public/neurology/neurology-auckland-te-toka-tumai-te-whatu/