10 epilepsy facts

10 epilepsy facts

In this article we will describe 10 epilepsy facts. Let’s start with the basics.

1. What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is the tendency to have repeated seizures which start in the brain. All humans have the potential to have a seizure, and epilepsy.

2. How common is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions, affecting approximately 1 in 100 people. But as many as one in 20 people will have a one-off seizure in their life. However, this does not mean they have epilepsy.

3. What is a seizure?

A seizure is a sign of temporary disruption to brain function, caused by excessive electrical activity.

An EEG (electro-encephalograph) of the brain as a seizure starts

4. How long does a seizure last and how long does it take to recover from one?

Most seizures last under 15 seconds. But they can last up to 5 minutes. If a person has a seizure that lasts longer than ten minutes, they should be taken to hospital. A seizure that lasts at least 30 minutes is called ‘status epilepticus’. This is a medical emergency that may lead to permanent brain damage.

Most people fully recover from a seizure within an hour, but it can take some people several hours, sometimes even days before they feel back to normal again.

5. Who gets epilepsy?

Epilepsy can affect anyone, of any age. No two people experience epilepsy in exactly the same way. For one person, epilepsy can mean complete seizure control on medication. For another, it can mean uncontrolled and frequent seizures despite medication.

6. What are the causes of epilepsy?

In 75% of cases, the cause is unknown. It may be partly caused by your genes affecting how your brain works; as around 1 in 3 people with epilepsy have a family member with it.

Occasionally, epilepsy can be caused by damage to the brain from:

• Stroke
• Brain tumour (this is rare)
• Severe head injury
• Drug or alcohol misuse
• Brain infection (e.g. meningitis, encephalitis)
• Lack of oxygen during birth
• There are many other causes.

7. What are the different types of epilepsy?

There are over 50 different types of seizures and epilepsy, and a person can have more than one type. Seizures can be very different, depending on where in the brain they are happening. Some people remain aware throughout, while others can lose consciousness.

Seizures are generally divided into two main types: focal seizures and generalised seizures.

• Focal seizures – only affect one part of the brain. People can experience focal seizures with full awareness or limited awareness
• Generalised seizures – usually affect the whole of the brain and will cause loss of consciousness, even if for just a fraction of a second.

8. What is the treatment for epilepsy?

9. What are consequences of a diagnosis of epilepsy?

A diagnosis of epilepsy can have life-changing consequences. These can include the loss of a driving licence, reduced independence, and disruption to employment. It can also affect someone’s education and employment prospects, and lead to an increased degree of social isolation and depression.

10. What is suggested terminology for people with epilepsy?

• People do not want to be defined by their condition. So please do not call someone with epilepsy, an ‘epileptic’ – or for that matter do not use phrases like ‘alcoholic’ or ‘diabetic’. Doctors don’t do adverbs. It is important to see the person and not the medical condition. It is more helpful to say ‘a person with epilepsy’
• The term ‘seizure’ or ‘epileptic seizure’ are preferred to the phrase ‘fit’
• A ‘victim’ or ‘sufferer’ implies someone is helpless. This is not helpful language when describing people with epilepsy, or any chronic disease. It’s better to say a ‘person is affected by or living with epilepsy’
• Grand mal seizures are now called tonic-clonic seizures
• Petit mal seizures are now called absence seizures.

Summary

We have described 10 epilepsy facts. We hope you understand it better now.

Last Reviewed on 7 May 2024