25 Intriguing Facts About Epilepsy

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. It is a spectrum disease with a wide range of types of seizures.

Epilepsy is the tendency to experience repeated seizures that start in the brain. It is usually only diagnosed after the person has had more than one seizure.

Only about 3% of people with epilepsy will be affected by flashing lights, called photosensitive epilepsy.

The Greek philosopher Hippocrates (460-377 BC) was the first person to think that the source of epilepsy was in the brain.

Some people experience seizures while they are awake, but it is also possible for people to have them while sleeping.

Seizures do not always take the form of convulsions. Some people seem vacant, and they may even wander around or seem confused during a seizure.

Women can struggle more with epilepsy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make it more difficult to manage, especially if the medication could harm the child.

Epilepsy can affect people in different ways. Many people with epilepsy may experience multiple different types of seizures.

The cause of seizures is usually completely unknown, though epilepsy can sometimes be related to a brain injury or family tendency.

It is possible to die from epilepsy. Though rare in itself, the most common cause of death is “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy” (SUDEP).

An estimated 22,000 to 42,000 deaths in the U.S. occur from these types of seizure emergencies each year.

Epilepsy can occur as a singular condition, or seen with other conditions affecting the brain, such as cerebral palsy.c

Epilepsy is not rare. About 3.4 million adults and children live with epilepsy in the United States.

Unfortunately, medications do not always work on all cases of epilepsy. In the United States, there are as many as one million people with uncontrolled epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a chronic medical problem for which there is no cure. But with proper medication, patients can be successfully treated.

Unless the condition is severe or goes untreated, people with epilepsy can do the same jobs and live their lives just like anyone else.

Anyone, regardless of age or background, can develop epilepsy. It is just as common as the elderly as it is in children.

Restraining someone experiencing a seizure can be very harmful. Most seizures end on their own within seconds or minutes, so remove objects that could cause injury and follow basic first aid rules.

Never try to force something into the mouth of a person experiencing a seizure. The correct response is to simply roll them on their side and provide support for their head.

There is a myth surrounding the seizures that during an epileptic seizure, you will risk swallowing your tongue. This myth is about as fake as they come, for it is physically impossible.

Very few children who experience a seizure will develop epilepsy. Most of the time they will not experience a second seizure.

Some people may experience their epilepsy going away, and they may stop having seizures altogether. This is called spontaneous remission.