Seizures & Epilepsy Facts
- 1 in 10 people will have a seizure during their life
- 1 in 100 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy by age 20
- Up to 3% will have been diagnosed with epilepsy by age 75
- Trend shows decreased incidence in children and increased incidence in the elderly
- Epilepsy is common - 1% prevalence
- Epilepsy is treatable - 65% seizure-free with medication
- Failure of 2-3 medication trials raises concern for refractory epilepsy
- Refractory epilepsy should be evaluated in an epilepsy center
- Delay to referral should be 2 - 3 years but is actually 14 years
- Our goal should be no seizures and no side-effects
Terminology
Seizure:
Involuntary change in body movement, function, sensation, awareness, or behavior due to transient, hypersynchronous, abnormal electrical activity in the brain lasting seconds to minutes.
Epilepsy:
Chronic brain disorder of various etiologies characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. One of the nation's most common disabling neurological disorders
Convulsion:
Violent, involuntary contraction(s) of the voluntary muscles.
Classification of Seizures
Partial onset seizures
- Simple partial seizures
- Complex partial seizures
- Impaired awareness at outset
- Simple partial evolving to lost awareness
- Partial seizures evolving to general tonic-clonic seizures
Primary generalized seizures
- Absence seizures
- Tonic-clonic seizures
- Myoclonic seizures
- Tonic seizures
- Clonic seizures
- Atonic seizures
Epilepsy and Neurological Disorders
Internet Resources
- Epilepsy Foundation - The Epilepsy Foundation is the national voluntary agency solely dedicated to the welfare of the 3 million people with epilepsy in the U.S. and their families. The organization works to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and to prevent, control and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy and services.
- Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho - The Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho (EFI) is a statewide not-for-profit organization, directed by volunteers and dedicated to helping all individuals in Idaho affected by epilepsy / seizure disorders. EFI will ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and will prevent, control and cure epilepsy through services, education, advocacy, and research.
- American Epilepsy Society - The American Epilepsy Society promotes research and education for professionals dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of epilepsy. Membership in the Society is made up of clinicians and researchers investigating basic and clinical aspects of epilepsy, and other health-care professionals interested in seizure disorders.
- American Academy of Neurology -The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), established in 1948, is an international professional association of more than 20,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals dedicated to providing the best possible care for patients with neurological disorders.
- National Association of Epilepsy Centers - The National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) is an association of more than 50 specialized epilepsy centers in the United States. The NAEC does not provide answers to specific medical questions, but acts as a link to those who can.
