Frequently Answered Questions
What is epilepsy?
What is a seizure?
What is the difference between seizures and epilepsy?
How many people does
epilepsy affect?
What causes epilepsy?
How is epilepsy treated?
Where
can I get additional information about epilepsy?
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a generic term for a variety of seizure disorders. A person with recurring
seizures is said to have epilepsy.
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What is a seizure?
The brain is the center that controls and regulates all voluntary and involuntary
responses in the body. It consists of nerve cells that normally communicate with
each other through electrical activity.
A seizure occurs when part(s) of the brain receives a burst of abnormal electrical
signals that temporarily interrupts normal electrical brain function.
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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 condition makes the brain susceptible
to periodic or recurring rhythmic bursts of electrical energy.
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How many people does epilepsy affect?
Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder after stroke and Alzheimer's
disease. It affects 2.3 million Americans of all ages. Approximately 181,000 new
cases of seizures and epilepsy occur each year. One in every 10 Americans will experience
a seizure at some point in their lives. Three percent will eventually develop epilepsy.
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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 developmental problems before birth. Some rare forms
are genetic. Epilepsy is never contagious - it is impossible to get it from or give
it to someone else.
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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 antiepileptic or anticonvulsant 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.
Approximately 500,000 Americans receive medical care that successfully controls
their seizures without further complications. Approximately one million people experience
inadequate relief from their seizures and/or treatment side effects. New medications
with fewer side effects are desperately needed.
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Where can I get additional information about epilepsy?
Contact the Wyoming Epilepsy Association at (307) 634-5329 Toll Free 1-866-634-5329