Expected duration of Seizure

Seizure is a neurological disorder, which affects people of any age, race and sex. It is caused due to disturbance in the electrical activity of the neurone inside the brain. There are many different types of seizures and the duration is influenced by many factors including the type of seizures, compliance with treatment, etc.

Expected duration of epilepsy

• If seizure is caused because of epilepsy, it can be controlled in most people with medication, but there is no cure for epilepsy because it is a lifelong condition. According to research, repeated seizures can be prevented with medications in up to 70% of newly diagnosed children and adults with epilepsy for several years. In people, who do not have any seizures for about 2-5 years after the start of anti-epileptic medication, the drug is slowly tapered and withdrawn. Most children and adults do not have a relapse (i.e. further seizures) after the anti-epileptic medication is stopped. Risk of recurrent seizures and response to treatment is improved when treatment is started early in the course of the disease and there is good compliance with treatment. Delay in starting treatment makes controlling seizures more difficult. If you do not take the medications as recommended (timing and dose), the risk of repeated seizures is increased. Studies suggest that children are  more likely to respond to treatment for seizure. Many children become seizure-free when treated appropriately.
• Seizures in people with some underlying brain disease are more likely to recur even with treatment. These types of seizure are more difficult to control.
• Partial seizures are more difficult to control and may last longer as compared with generalised seizures. If partial seizures occur in a person with an underlying brain disease, recurrent seizures are likely.  
• Seizures are caused because of fever in children. This may stop as they become older. In most children, febrile seizures stop by the age of 5 years. Only In rare cases does a child continue to have seizure after the age of 5 years or develop epilepsy.
• If a seizure is caused because of a treatable condition, such as alcohol consumption, infection, low blood sugar or low blood calcium, the person may not have another seizure post treatment of the underlying condition.