The link between learning disabilities and epilepsy

Learning disabilities can be caused by damage to the brain. This damaged part of the brain can then become irritable and cause epileptic seizures. These seizures might not appear until many years after the damage happened.

In some people, epilepsy and learning disabilities can both be part of a syndrome. (A syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that, added together, point to a particular medical condition.) Examples of syndromes where someone might have epilepsy and learning disabilities are Down’s, Rett’s, Sturge-Weber Lennox Gastaut, and Landau Kleffner syndromes.

Extra healthcare needs for people with learning disabilities and epilepsy

People with learning disabilities tend to have more healthcare needs than many other people. They can have a number of health problems and often also have physical disabilities. The following are some of the more common healthcare needs.

• Feeding or swallowing difficulties. These will make it difficult to eat a good diet or take anti-epileptic drugs and other medicines.
• Constipation and urine infections. Urine infections and constipation can cause more seizures.