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ABOUT EPILEPSY
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes people to experience repeated seizures. Epilepsy has been recognized as a medical condition for thousands of years. Hippocrates, considered the "father of modern medicine," wrote about epilepsy around 400 BC.
The sections below provide more information about the symptoms, risk factors, societal costs and treatment options for epilepsy.
PREVALENCE
- Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders.
- About 3 percent of people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.
- About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy.
- More than 2.5 million Americans of all ages have epilepsy, about 1.4 million are adults aged 15 to 64.
- Approximately 181,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed every year in the United States.
SEIZURES
Seizures are not a disease in themselves. Seizures are a symptom of epilepsy. They may vary in type, duration, intensity and frequency. There are generally two types of epileptic seizures:
- Generalized seizures begin on both sides of the brain simultaneously and there is a loss of consciousness.
- Partial seizures affect only one area of the brain. There are two types of partial seizures - simple, in which consciousness is retained, and complex, in which there is a loss of consciousness. Partial seizures can develop into generalized seizures.
RISK FACTORS FOR EPILEPSY
There are many different causes of epilepsy. In 70 percent of cases, the cause is never identified. Some risk factors for epilepsy include:
- Brain tumors
- Genetic conditions
- Serious head injury or lack of oxygen to the brain
- Central nervous system infections, such as meningitis or encephalitis
- Cerebral palsy
SOCIETAL COST
An estimated $12.5 billion (2004) is spent annually in the United States on direct and indirect costs related to epilepsy, such as treatment, new research, lost work productivity, etc.
TREATMENT
Medication can control seizures in most people. About 70 percent of people treated with seizure medication could remain seizure-free for at least five years. Different medications control different types of seizures. People who have more than one type of seizure may have to take more than one drug.
Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are the most common form of treatment. AEDs work by helping to prevent seizures from occurring. AEDs are intended to help raise a person's resistance to having seizures. They work properly when they reach a certain level in the body, and that level must be maintained in order to help achieve maximum seizure control while managing side effects. Remember to work with your doctor to find a treatment option that is best for you and helps address your individual needs.
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