What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a tendency to have repeated seizures. A seizure is a sudden burst of electrical activity in the brain that briefly changes movement, awareness or sensation; not every seizure involves shaking, and some are only brief staring spells or odd feelings. A single seizure does not always mean epilepsy. A neurologist works out what happened and why, often with an EEG and an MRI scan, and chooses medicine that suits the seizure type and the person's life.
Epilepsy & Seizures at Curewell Speciality Clinic: at a glance
- Who you will see
- Dr. Mailan K (MBBS, DNB (Neuro), DPM, MHA, FICP)
- Tests that may be used
- An eyewitness account or phone video, EEG, MRI of the brain and blood tests
- Treatment approach
- Anti-seizure medicine chosen for the seizure type, with regular review; advice on sleep, triggers, safety, driving and pregnancy
- When it is an emergency
- A seizure lasting over 5 minutes, repeated seizures, a first-ever seizure, an injury, or not waking normally: call 108 or 112.
- Where and when
- #125, MM Road, Frazer Town, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560005. Open Mon–Sat 10 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–10 PM. Walk-ins welcome; call or WhatsApp 74066 57632.
Epilepsy is the name for a tendency to have repeated seizures. One seizure on its own does not always mean epilepsy; seizures can also be triggered by fever, low blood sugar, alcohol withdrawal, some medicines, or lack of sleep. Working out the cause is the first step.
With the right diagnosis and medicine, many people with epilepsy have good seizure control and live full lives — working, studying and raising families. Regular review with a neurologist helps find the medicine and dose that suits you, with the fewest side effects.
What are the symptoms of epilepsy?
- Stiffening and jerking of the arms and legs, sometimes with a fall or a cry
- Brief staring spells or “blank” moments, sometimes many times a day
- Sudden jerks of an arm or leg, especially soon after waking
- Tongue biting, passing urine, or confusion and sleepiness afterwards
- Repeated movements such as lip-smacking, chewing or fiddling with clothes
- A sudden odd feeling — déjà vu, fear, a rising stomach sensation, a strange smell or taste
One of these alone doesn't mean you have this condition; most symptoms have more than one cause. Not sure? When to see a neurologist
Emergency
When a seizure is an emergency
- A seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes, or one seizure following another without waking in between.
- A first-ever seizure, a seizure in pregnancy, or a seizure in water.
- Injury during the seizure, difficulty breathing afterwards, or the person not waking up normally.
- During a seizure: move hard objects away, cushion the head, turn the person on their side when the jerking stops. Do not put anything in the mouth and do not hold them down.
Call 108 or 112 if any of these happen.
How does Dr. Mailan K assess and treat epilepsy?
Four steps, at Curewell Speciality Clinic, #125 MM Road, Frazer Town.
Step 1: Assessment
The most useful information is a clear description of exactly what happened — which is why an eyewitness is so valuable. Dr. Mailan K asks about the events before, during and after each episode, possible triggers, sleep, family history and other health conditions, and carries out a full neurological examination.
Step 2: Diagnosis
Depending on the history, tests may include an EEG (a recording of the brain's electrical activity), an MRI scan of the brain and blood tests. These help confirm whether the episodes are seizures, what type they are and whether there is an underlying cause. Some episodes that look like seizures — fainting, for example — have different causes and need different treatment.
Step 3: Treatment
If medicine is needed, the choice depends on the seizure type, age, other medicines, and plans such as pregnancy. Doses are usually started low and adjusted. Practical advice on sleep, triggers, safety at home and work, and driving is part of the plan. Medicines are available at the in-house pharmacy, which helps avoid missed doses.
Step 4: Follow-up
Regular follow-up reviews seizure frequency, side effects and blood tests where needed. Keeping a seizure diary — dates, times and what happened — makes these visits much more useful. Never stop or change epilepsy medicine suddenly without medical advice.
What should I bring to my first visit?
- An eyewitness who saw the episode, or a phone video of it if someone recorded one safely
- A seizure diary — dates, times, what happened, and anything that seemed to trigger it
- All current medicines and doses, including any epilepsy medicine taken before
- Previous EEG, MRI or CT reports and discharge summaries
Questions about Epilepsy & Seizures
Does one seizure mean I have epilepsy?
Not necessarily. A single seizure can have a specific trigger, such as fever, low sugar or alcohol withdrawal. Dr. Mailan K will assess the cause and advise whether tests or treatment are needed.
Why is a video of the seizure helpful?
Most patients don't remember their seizures, and doctors rarely see one happen. A short video, taken safely by someone nearby, shows exactly what the episode looks like and can make diagnosis much clearer.
Will I need to take medicine for life?
Not always. Some people can reduce or stop medicine after a long time without seizures, under a neurologist's supervision. This depends on the type of epilepsy and must never be done without medical advice.
Can I drive if I have epilepsy?
Driving rules exist to keep you and others safe. Dr. Mailan K will advise you on driving based on your seizure control and the current rules. Do not drive until you have discussed it.
Is epilepsy treatment safe in pregnancy?
Many women with epilepsy have healthy pregnancies, but some medicines need to be changed or adjusted. If you are planning a pregnancy, discuss it before you conceive so your treatment can be reviewed in advance.
Book a consultation with Dr. Mailan K
#125 MM Road, Frazer Town. Open Mon–Sat 10 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–10 PM. Walk-ins welcome.
