Chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness on one side, a fit or heavy bleeding needs help now, not an appointment.

112Any emergency108Ambulance102Pregnancy and newborn
Check a symptomManage a conditionHealth calculatorsUnderstand a lab reportFirst aid
Brain and nerves

Epilepsy

Also called epilepsy, seizures, fits, mirgi, daura

What it isSignsWhat to doWhat to avoidFeel betterCall a doctor

What this condition is

Epilepsy is a condition in which a person has repeated seizures, sometimes called fits. A seizure is a sudden burst of unusual electrical activity in the brain, which can cause shaking, stiffening, staring spells or brief loss of awareness. There are many myths about epilepsy in our society, but it is a medical condition like any other and is nothing to be ashamed of. With regular medicines, most people have their seizures well controlled and lead full, normal lives, including study, work and family.

Signs to watch for

  • Sudden jerking or stiffening of the body
  • Loss of awareness or staring spells
  • Brief confusion after an episode
  • Unusual sensations, smells or feelings before a seizure in some people
  • Loss of bladder control during a seizure in some cases

What to do

  • Take your anti seizure medicines every day at the same time
  • Get enough regular sleep
  • Keep your follow up appointments
  • Tell family and close friends what to do during a seizure
  • Wear or carry information about your condition

What to avoid

  • Do not stop or miss your medicines, as this is a common cause of seizures
  • Avoid alcohol and lack of sleep, which can trigger seizures
  • Do not swim or work at heights alone until your doctor advises it is safe
  • Do not put anything in the mouth of a person having a seizure

Ways to feel better day to day

  • Keep a fixed routine for medicines and sleep
  • Use a pill box and reminders so you never miss a dose
  • Note any triggers, like missed sleep or flashing lights
  • Make your home safer to prevent injury during a seizure
  • Stay active and socially involved, as epilepsy need not limit your life

Speak to a doctor if

  • A seizure lasting more than five minutes
  • One seizure followed by another without recovery in between
  • A first ever seizure
  • A seizure causing injury, or with breathing difficulty afterwards
  • More frequent seizures despite taking medicine

Your next step

Turn this into a plan that is yours

Everything above is general. Your dose, your targets and your test schedule depend on your age, your reports and the other conditions you live with.

Consult a doctorCheck my numbers

Get care for this

Doctors and care for epilepsy

Verified Teleprac doctors you can see online or in a clinic, lab tests with home sample collection, and genuine medicines delivered to your door.

See all conditions

How to use this page. It explains conditions in plain language so that you can take part in your own care and know when to call. It is not a diagnosis and it does not know your age, your pregnancy, your kidney or liver function, or the other medicines you take. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own.

Consult a doctorNeurology

More free tools in the Health Hub

Open Health Hub
Check a symptomSomething feels wrong and you want to know what it could be and who to seeHealth calculatorsYou have a number, such as weight, waist or blood pressure, and want to know what it meansUnderstand a lab reportYou have a lab report with sugar, thyroid, cholesterol or blood counts and want to know what it meansFirst aidSomething has just happened to someone and you need to know what to do right now

Emergency numbers in India

Save these in your phone now, not when you need them. Tap any number to call it.

112Any emergencyOne number for police, fire and ambulance across India108AmbulanceFree emergency ambulance in most states and union territories102Pregnancy and newbornAmbulance for mothers and babies in most states14416Mental health supportTele MANAS, free counselling every hour of the day, many languages1800 116 117Poisoning or overdoseNational Poisons Information Centre, AIIMS New Delhi1098Child in distressChildline India, free and confidential

Where to read more

Public health sources written for patients rather than for doctors, and kept up to date.

Ministry of Health and Family WelfareOfficial Indian health programmes, advisories and public guidanceWorld Health Organization health topicsGlobal fact sheets written for the public, on hundreds of topicsNHS health A to ZPlain language pages on symptoms, conditions, tests and treatmentsMedlinePlusPatient information from the United States National Library of MedicineTele MANASIndia's national mental health support service, free and available all day

Important: Everything in Teleprac patient resources is general health education. It does not give you a diagnosis and it cannot replace examination by a qualified doctor, because it does not know your age, your reports, your pregnancy or the other medicines you take. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own. Teleprac Healthcare is not liable for decisions made on the basis of this information. In an emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital immediately.