Out of the shadows : services for persons with epilepsy in Malta

Abstract

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in clinical practice and it is a generic term used to define a variety of seizure disorders. A seizure is a disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain. There are more than 20 different epilepsies and syndromes, according to recent international reclassification of symptoms by the International League Against Epilepsy. These seizures affect awareness, produce brief loss of muscle control and may involve sensory distortions. Early diagnosis is crucial. Children and adults with undiagnosed seizures risk developing a more severe, more difficult to treat condition with consequent poor prognosis and increased medical costs.