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Epilepsy & Seizures:
A Patient Guide
Understanding seizures, recognizing symptoms, knowing what to do when one occurs, and taking an active role in your care.
What Is a Seizure?
A seizure is a temporary change in the brain’s electrical activity. Depending on the area of the brain involved, a seizure can affect awareness, movement, sensation, emotions, or behavior.
Not all seizures involve shaking or loss of consciousness. Some may cause staring, confusion, unusual sensations, repetitive movements, sudden stiffening, or brief periods when a person cannot respond normally.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which a person has an ongoing tendency to experience unprovoked seizures. Having a single seizure does not always mean that a person has epilepsy.
Seizures can look very different from one person to another. Understanding what happens before, during, and after an event can help your healthcare provider determine the type of seizure and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
COMMON SEIZURE SYMPTOMS
Changes in Awareness
Changes in Movement
Sensory & Behavioral Changes
Staring, confusion, loss of awareness, inability to respond, or gaps in memory may occur during some seizures.
Stiffening, rhythmic jerking, sudden falls, repetitive movements, or brief muscle twitches may occur depending on the type of seizure.
Some seizures may cause unusual smells or tastes, tingling, visual changes, sudden fear, déjà vu, or other unusual sensations or behaviors.
What Can Trigger a Seizure?
Common seizure triggers may include:
• Missing or skipping seizure medication
• Lack of sleep or significant changes in       sleep
• Illness or fever
• Stress
• Alcohol or recreational drugs
• Dehydration
• Missing meals
• Hormonal changes
• Certain medications or supplements
• Flashing or flickering lights in people withÂ
  photosensitive epilepsy
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Note: a trigger does not cause epilepsy itself—it may make a seizure more likely in someone who is susceptible.
Seizure triggers can be different for each person, and sometimes a seizure occurs without an obvious trigger. Identifying your individual patterns may help you and your healthcare provider manage your condition.
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How Is Epilepsy Treated?
Anti-Seizure Medication
When Seizures Aren’t Controlled
Lifestyle & Seizure Management
Anti-seizure medications are the most common treatment for epilepsy. The medication chosen depends on the type of seizures, other health conditions, possible side effects, and individual needs. Take medication exactly as prescribed and do not stop it suddenly without medical guidance.
If seizures continue despite appropriate medication treatment, your neurology team may recommend additional testing or other treatment options. These may include epilepsy surgery, implanted neurostimulation devices, or dietary therapies for selected patients.
Taking medication consistently, getting adequate sleep, staying hydrated, limiting alcohol, managing stress, and learning your personal seizure triggers can support your treatment plan. Keeping a seizure diary can also help you and your healthcare team identify patterns.
Seizure First Aid & When to Seek Emergency Care
If someone is having a convulsive seizure:
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Stay calm and time the seizure
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Keep the person safe from nearby hazards
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Cushion their head
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Loosen tight clothing around the neck
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Turn them onto their side when possible
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Stay with them until they are awake and recovering
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Do not restrain them
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Do not put anything in their mouth
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Do not give food, water, or medication by mouth until they are fully alert
Call 911 if:
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The seizure lasts 5 minutes or longer
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Another seizure begins before the person recovers
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It is the person's first known seizure
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The person has difficulty breathing or does not regain consciousness as expected
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A serious injury occurs
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The seizure happens in water
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The person is pregnant
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The person has diabetes and loses consciousness
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You are unsure whether emergency help is needed
Living Well With Epilepsy
01
Take Medication Consistently
02
Track Your Seizures
Take seizure medication exactly as prescribed and at consistent times each day. Do not stop or change your medication without discussing it with your healthcare provider.
Keep a seizure diary that records when seizures occur, what happened before and during the event, how long it lasted, recovery afterward, possible triggers, and whether rescue medication was used.
03
Know Your Triggers & Safety Needs
04
Prepare for Appointments
Prioritize consistent sleep, avoid missed medication doses, and learn whether factors such as illness, stress, alcohol, or flashing lights affect your seizures. Follow individualized precautions for driving, swimming, bathing, heights, and other activities.
Bring your seizure diary and current medication list. Discuss seizure frequency, medication side effects, breakthrough events, injuries, rescue medication use, and any changes affecting work, school, driving, or daily activities
