epileptic

Everyday

1. Epileptic means to do with epilepsy, a brain condition that can cause seizures (fits), when a person may shake, stare blankly or fall. tree →
2. An epileptic seizure is one of these episodes. tree →
3. Many people now prefer «a person with epilepsy» to calling someone «an epileptic». tree →

In the lessons

Health and safety lessons: what to do if someone has a seizure — keep calm, move hard things away, cushion the head, do not hold them down or put anything in their mouth, time it, call an adult or 999/911/000/111 if it lasts long. Flashing light warnings on games and TV. Phrases: epileptic seizure, epileptic fit, epilepsy medication.

Examples

• My friend has epilepsy and takes medicine every day. tree →
• If someone has an epileptic seizure, move sharp things away. tree →
• Never put anything in their mouth during a seizure. tree →
• The game has a warning about flashing lights for people with epilepsy. tree →
• The teacher timed the seizure and called the nurse. tree →
• Most people with epilepsy live full, normal lives. tree →

Note

Kind language: say «person with epilepsy» rather than «an epileptic». «Fit» is common in the UK but «seizure» is the medical word. Myth: you cannot swallow your tongue — so never push anything into the mouth.