EPILEPSY 101
EPILEPSY 101
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder, the hallmark of which is recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Many people with epilepsy have more than one type of seizure and may have other symptoms of neurological problems as well.Sometimes EEG testing, clinical history, family history and outlook are similar among a group of people with epilepsy. In these situations, their condition can be defined as a specific epilepsy syndrome.
The human brain is the source of human epilepsy. Although the symptoms of a seizure may affect any part of the body, the electrical events that produce the symptoms occur in the brain. The location of that event, how it spreads and how much of the brain is affected, and how long it lasts all have profound effects. These factors determine the character of a seizure and its impact on the individual.
Having seizures and epilepsy also can also affect one's safety, relationships, work, driving and so much more. How epilepsy is perceived or how people are treated (stigma) often is a bigger problem than the seizures.
EPILEPSY 101: GENERAL FACTS ABOUT EPILEPSY
65 MILLION: people around the world have epilepsy.
1 in 26 people in the United States will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime.
6 out of people live with epilepsy where the cause is unknown.
Between 10 out of 1000 people on earth live with active seizures at any one time.
150,000 new cases of epilepsy in the United States each year.
One-third of those living with epilepsy have uncontrollable seizures because no available treatment works for them.
What causes epilepsy?
In nearly 70 percent of cases, the cause is unknown. The most common causes for the remaining 30 percent include: head trauma resulting from automobile accidents, gunshot wounds and sports accidents; brain tumor and stroke; poisoning such as lead or alcohol; infection, and maternal injury. Some rare forms are genetic. Epilepsy is never contagious — it is impossible to get it from or give it to someone else.
How is epilepsy treated?
Epilepsy may be treated with medications, surgery, electrical stimulation therapy, or a special diet. Medication therapy is by far the most common and is usually the first to be tried. A number of epilepsy medications are currently available. These medications control different types of seizures. A seizure-preventing medication (also known as an anti-epileptic or anti-convulsant drug) won’t work properly until it reaches a certain level in the blood stream and that level must be maintained. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions very carefully as to when and how much medication should be taken. The goal is to keep the blood level high enough to prevent seizures, but not so high it causes unwelcome side effects.
What is a Seizure?
What is the difference between seizures and epilepsy?
Seizures are a symptom of epilepsy. They occur when a group of brain cells — which normally discharge in a chaotic or random manner — suddenly discharge together in rhythmic bursts. Epilepsy describes a state in which a group of abnormal brain cells, scar tissue, malformation, or other underlying conditions make the brain susceptible to periodic or recurring rhythmic bursts of electrical energy.
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