In English

The Danish Epilepsy Association is a national, non-profit membership association founded in 1962 and numbering some 5.500 members. The association depends to a very large degree on the voluntary activities of its members who are organized in 12 regional associations. The main objective of the Association is to improve life conditions and life quality of people living with epilepsy.

The aims of the Danish Epilepsy Association can be summarized as follows:
To raise public and professional awareness of epilepsy, treatment of epilepsy, to find causes to epilepsy and to understand both social, psychological and health-related consequences of having epilepsy.

To encourage and implement initiatives designed to improve methods of treatment, social and labour market relations for those suffering from epilepsy, and to care and support people with epilepsy and their families.

To encourage and support research aimed at improving the quality of life of those suffering from epilepsy and their families.

What are members of the Association offered?

Members are offered counselling by professionals by phone – a service which is open to those suffering from epilepsy, their relatives and other people who are interested. The Danish Epilepsy Association also releases pamphlets and educational material. Four times a year The Danish Epilepsy Association publishes the magazine “Epilepsi” with stories from life with epilepsy.

National office, president and director

National office
Epilepsiforeningen
Store Gråbrødrestræde 10, 1.
DK-5000 Odense C

Phone: +45 6611 9091
Fax: +45 6611 7177
Email address: epilepsi@epilepsiforeningen.dk

President
Mrs. Lone Nørager Kristensen
Phone: 9821 7137

Director
Mr. Per Olesen
Phone: 6611 9091/ 4025 1962
Email address: per@epilepsiforeningen.dk

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that makes people susceptible to seizures. A seizure is a change in sensation, awareness, or behavior brought about by a brief electrical disturbance in the brain.

Seizures vary from a momentary disruption of the senses to short periods of unconsciousness or staring spells to convulsions. Some people have just one type of seizure while others may have more than one type.

Although they look different, all seizures are caused by the same thing: a sudden change in how the cells of the brain send electrical signals to each other.

Epilepsy is generally not the kind of condition that gets worse with time. Most adults, who have epilepsy, may expect to live a normal life span.

Doctors treat epilepsy primarily with Anti Epileptic Drugs (AED). Although seizure medications are not a cure, they control seizures in the majority of people with epilepsy.

Surgery, diet (primarily in children), or electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve, a large nerve leading into the brain, may be options if medications fail to control seizures. Several drugs (called antiepileptic or anticonvulsant drugs) are prescribed to prevent seizures. Many factors are involved in choosing the right anti seizure drug. The goal of treatment is to stop seizures without side effects from the drug.