Epilepsy Action

Last updated

Epilepsy Action
Formation5 September 1950;73 years ago (1950-09-05) [1]
Founder Lady Cynthia Colville [1]
Type Charitable organisation
Registration no.234343 [2]
Headquarters Yeadon, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Coordinates 53°51′52″N1°41′39″W / 53.86441°N 1.69408°W / 53.86441; -1.69408
ServicesEpilepsy advice and information
Membership (2023)
7,494 [3]
President
Margaret Ford, Baroness Ford [3]
Chair
Jane Riley [4]
Chief executive
Philip Lee [3]
Revenue (2023)
£2.77m [3]
Staff (2023)
75 [3]
Website www.epilepsy.org.uk
Formerly called
British Epilepsy Association (1950-2002)

Epilepsy Action is a British charity providing information, advice and support for people with epilepsy.

Contents

Activities

Epilepsy Action provides freephone and email helplines and a wide range of information booklets, web pages and e-learning courses. It has around 100 local support groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and a network of volunteers working in the community. It also organises conferences for people with epilepsy and health professionals with an interest in the condition. It also has a website that includes information about epilepsy.

It undertakes and encourages non-laboratory research into epilepsy and the issues surrounding living with the condition.

Since 2008, the charity has organised the annual Bradford 10K athletics race which in 2019 attracted 3,000 runners. [5]

Campaigns

The charity has received international media coverage on a number of occasions due to its work in highlighting bad practice in online videos in relation to photosensitive epilepsy.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epilepsy</span> Group of neurological disorders causing seizures

Epilepsy is a group of non-communicable neurological disorders characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures. An epileptic seizure is the clinical manifestation of an abnormal, excessive, and synchronized electrical discharge in the neurons. The occurrence of two or more unprovoked seizures defines epilepsy. The occurrence of just one seizure may warrant the definition in a more clinical usage where recurrence may be able to be prejudged. Epileptic seizures can vary from brief and nearly undetectable periods to long periods of vigorous shaking due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. These episodes can result in physical injuries, either directly such as broken bones or through causing accidents. In epilepsy, seizures tend to recur and may have no detectable underlying cause. Isolated seizures that are provoked by a specific cause such as poisoning are not deemed to represent epilepsy. People with epilepsy may be treated differently in various areas of the world and experience varying degrees of social stigma due to the alarming nature of their symptoms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seizure</span> Period of symptoms due to excessive or synchronous neuronal brain activity

A seizure is a period of symptoms due to abnormally excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Outward effects vary from uncontrolled shaking movements involving much of the body with loss of consciousness, to shaking movements involving only part of the body with variable levels of consciousness, to a subtle momentary loss of awareness. These episodes usually last less than two minutes and it takes some time to return to normal. Loss of bladder control may occur.

Photosensitive epilepsy (PSE) is a form of epilepsy in which seizures are triggered by visual stimuli that form patterns in time or space, such as flashing lights; bold, regular patterns; or regular moving patterns. PSE affects approximately one in 4,000 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myoclonus</span> Involuntary, irregular muscle twitch

Myoclonus is a brief, involuntary, irregular twitching of a muscle, a joint, or a group of muscles, different from clonus, which is rhythmic or regular. Myoclonus describes a medical sign and, generally, is not a diagnosis of a disease. It belongs to the hyperkinetic movement disorders, among tremor and chorea for example. These myoclonic twitches, jerks, or seizures are usually caused by sudden muscle contractions or brief lapses of contraction. The most common circumstance under which they occur is while falling asleep. Myoclonic jerks occur in healthy people and are experienced occasionally by everyone. However, when they appear with more persistence and become more widespread they can be a sign of various neurological disorders. Hiccups are a kind of myoclonic jerk specifically affecting the diaphragm. When a spasm is caused by another person it is known as a provoked spasm. Shuddering attacks in babies fall in this category.

Light sensitivity or photosensitivity refers to a notable or increased reactivity to light. Apart from vision, human beings have many physiological and psychological responses to light. In rare individuals an atypical response may result in serious discomfort, disease, or injury. Some drugs have a photosensitizing effect. Properties of natural or artificial light that may abnormally affect people include:

Pokémon is an anime television series that originally debuted in Japan on April 1, 1997. Throughout its run of over 1,200 episodes, specific episodes have been unaired or pulled from rerun rotation in certain countries while others have been altered or entirely banned, some of which include racial stereotyping such as Jynx and the characters appearing in blackface. Notably, the globally banned episode "Dennō Senshi Porygon", which aired only once on Japan's TV Tokyo on December 16, 1997, features a series of rapidly alternating red and blue frames that provoked epileptic seizures in hundreds of children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aura (symptom)</span> Symptom of epilepsy and migraine

An aura is a perceptual disturbance experienced by some with epilepsy or migraine. An epileptic aura is actually a minor seizure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennō Senshi Porygon</span> 38th episode of the 1st season of Pokémon

"Dennō Senshi Porygon" is the 38th episode of the Pokémon anime's first season. Its sole broadcast was on TV Tokyo in Japan on December 16, 1997. The episode was written by Junki Takegami and directed by Kiyotaka Isako.

Reflex seizures are epileptic seizures that are consistently induced by a specific stimulus or trigger, making them distinct from other epileptic seizures, which are usually unprovoked. Reflex seizures are otherwise similar to unprovoked seizures and may be focal, generalized, myoclonic, or absence seizures. Epilepsy syndromes characterized by repeated reflex seizures are known as reflex epilepsies. Photosensitive seizures are often myoclonic, absence, or focal seizures in the occipital lobe, while musicogenic seizures are associated with focal seizures in the temporal lobe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felbamate</span> Chemical compound

Felbamate is an anticonvulsant used in the treatment of epilepsy. It is used to treat partial seizures in adults and partial and generalized seizures associated with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome in children. However, an increased risk of potentially fatal aplastic anemia and/or liver failure limit the drug's usage to severe refractory epilepsy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epilepsy Society</span>

The Epilepsy Society is the largest medical charity in the field of epilepsy in the United Kingdom, providing services for people with epilepsy for over 100 years. Based in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, UK, its stated mission is "to enhance the quality of life of people affected by epilepsy by promoting research, education and public awareness and by delivering specialist medical care and support services." The Epilepsy Society has close partnerships with the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and the UCL Institute of Neurology, both located in Queen Square, London.

Flicker vertigo, sometimes called the Bucha effect, is "an imbalance in brain-cell activity caused by exposure to low-frequency flickering of a relatively bright light." It is a disorientation-, vertigo-, and nausea-inducing effect of a strobe light flashing at 1 Hz to 20 Hz, approximately the frequency of human brainwaves. The effects are similar to seizures caused by epilepsy, but are not restricted to people with histories of epilepsy.

The Epilepsy Foundation, also Epilepsy Foundation of America (EFA), is a non-profit national foundation, headquartered in Bowie, Maryland, dedicated to the welfare of people with epilepsy and seizure disorders. The foundation was established in 1968 and now has a network of 59 affiliates. The foundation's programs aim to "ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and to prevent, control and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy and services."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flashing Lights (Kanye West song)</span> 2007 single by Kanye West

"Flashing Lights" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his third studio album, Graduation (2007). The song features a guest appearance from R&B singer Dwele and additional vocals from Australian singer Connie Mitchell. West co-wrote and co-produced the song with Eric Hudson, who had completed the production before the duo added a live string section in 2007. It was released to US rhythmic contemporary radio as the album's fourth single on November 20, 2007, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. A hip hop, electro rap, and R&B song with elements of numerous genres, it prominently utilizes strings and synths. Lyrically, the song features West rapping about a complicated relationship where a girl has power over him; he also compares the paparazzi to Nazis.

The term Harding test is generically understood to mean an automatic test for photosensitive epilepsy (PSE), triggered by provocative image sequences in television content. This is properly known as a PSE test since the publication of the Digital Production Partnership (DPP) technical requirements and the DPP PSE Devices document updated in November 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ravelry</span> Yarnworking social network

Ravelry is a free social networking service and website that beta-launched in May 2007. It functions as an organizational tool for a variety of fiber arts, including knitting, crocheting, spinning and weaving. Members share projects, ideas, and their collection of yarn, fiber and tools via various components of the site.

Epilepsy and driving is a personal and public safety issue. A person with a seizure disorder that causes lapses in consciousness may put themselves and the public at risk if a seizure occurs while they are operating a motor vehicle. Not only can a seizure itself cause a car wreck, but anticonvulsants often have side effects that include drowsiness. People with epilepsy are more likely to be involved in a traffic collision than people who do not have the condition, although reports range from minimally more likely up to seven times more likely.

Generally, seizures are observed in patients who do not have epilepsy. There are many causes of seizures. Organ failure, medication and medication withdrawal, cancer, imbalance of electrolytes, hypertensive encephalopathy, may be some of its potential causes. The factors that lead to a seizure are often complex and it may not be possible to determine what causes a particular seizure, what causes it to happen at a particular time, or how often seizures occur.

"All of the Lights" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, released as the fourth single from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). It was produced by West and features additional vocals from several other recording artists, including Drake, John Legend, The-Dream, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Elton John, Ryan Leslie, Charlie Wilson, Tony Williams, La Roux, Alvin Fields, Ken Lewis, Kid Cudi, and Rihanna; the latter two are credited on the official music video and single version, but not on the album version. It is often played along with its accompanying interlude "All of the Lights (Interlude)", which precedes the song on the album's tracklist.

<i>The Incredibles</i> (franchise) American media franchise

The Incredibles is an American media franchise created by Pixar Animation Studios. Brad Bird wrote and directed both films, and Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, and Samuel L. Jackson are part of the franchise's main cast. The first film, The Incredibles, was released on November 5, 2004 and received acclaim from critics, winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The second film, Incredibles 2, was released on June 15, 2018, received mostly positive reviews and set the record for best opening weekend for an animated film with $183 million. The series has grossed a combined $1.8 billion worldwide.

References

  1. 1 2 "Epilepsy Action History Wall 1950-2010" (PDF). Epilepsy Action. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  2. "British Epilepsy Association, registered charity no. 234343". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023" (PDF). Epilepsy Action. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  4. "Council of Management". Epilepsy Action. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  5. "'3,000 runners tackle Bradford's biggest ever 10K'". Telegraph and Argus. 17 March 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  6. Bond, David (13 June 2007). "Olympics inquiry into logo-launch seizures". ISSN   0307-1235.
  7. "London 2012 Olympics withdraw film after seizures". Epilepsy Action. 6 June 2007. Archived from the original on 23 November 2007. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  8. "'Kanye West's 'All Of The Lights' Video Gets Epilepsy Warning'". MTV News. 25 February 2011. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014.
  9. "'Epilepsy charity criticises Twitter for flashing ads'". BBC News. 10 July 2015.