Epilepsy
People with epilepsy have recurrent fits or seizures.
For six out of 10 people with epilepsy, the underlying cause isn't clear. Epilepsy isn't a disease and isn't a mental illness.
Epilepsy may develop after damage or injury to the brain caused by infection, a stroke, a brain tumour or scarring from a head injury. Predisposition to fits can run in families.
Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disorder affecting people of all ages. One person in 50 will develop it at some time in their life. In the UK, around 450,000 people have epilepsy.
Anyone can develop epilepsy, at any age, although it's more likely to develop in early childhood and after the age of 65.
It's not possible to prevent epilepsy from developing, but for those with the condition, the chance of attacks can be reduced.
Avoid identified triggers such as alcohol, stress, strobe lighting and lack of sleep. Anti-epileptic medication can prevent fits from recurring. Brain surgery is sometimes used to treat epilepsy.
People with epilepsy need to contact the DVLA to establish whether they can drive.
Those with epilepsy are encouraged to have someone with them who knows about their type of seizure and what to do if one occurs when doing activities such as swimming