Epilepsy with partial seizures

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About 1 in 30 people in the UK develop epilepsy at some stage. It most commonly starts in childhood and in people over 60. However, epilepsy can begin at any age. Seizures are well controlled by treatment in about 4 in 5 cases.

There are different types of epilepsy. This leaflet is about epilepsy with partial seizures. Other leaflets in this series include: 'Epilepsy - A General Introduction', 'Epilepsy with Tonic-Clonic Seizures', 'Epilepsy with Absence Seizures', 'Could it be Epilepsy', 'Living with Epilepsy' and 'Treatments for Epilepsy'.

What is a seizure?

A seizure is a short episode of symptoms which is caused by a burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Typically, a seizure lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes. (Other words for seizures include convulsions and fits.)

The brain contains millions of nerve cells (neurones). Normally, the nerve cells are constantly sending tiny electrical messages down nerves to all parts of the body. Different parts of the brain control different parts and functions of the body. Therefore, the symptoms that occur during a seizure depend on where the abnormal burst of electrical activity occurs.

There are different types of seizures but they are broadly divided into two main types - generalised and partial. Many people associate epilepsy with generalised 'convulsive' seizures. However, some people develop partial seizures.