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Epilepsy is one of the most common and misunderstood neurological disorders. To clarify some information about this condition, here are seven epilepsy facts to keep in mind:

1. It’s Widespread

An estimated 3.4 million people in the United States have epilepsy, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. That’s more people than those with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson’s disease combined.

Epilepsy is most prevalent in early childhood and old age but can develop at any time. A person is considered to have epilepsy if they experience two or more unprovoked seizures more than 24 hours apart that can’t be explained by another medical condition.

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2. There’s More Than One Cause

Most causes of epilepsy are still unknown. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, only 1 in 3 patients actually know the cause of their epilepsy. Some of those common causes may include head injury, stroke, brain tumor, infection (like meningitis or encephalitis), or Alzheimer’s disease.

Getting the facts about epilepsy is important. A doctor can perform tests and brain scans to help determine possible epilepsy causes and work with you to develop a treatment plan to manage your condition.

3. Different Triggers Affect Different People

Common seizure triggers include:

  • Dehydration.
  • Flashing lights.
  • High stress levels.
  • Hormonal changes.
  • Hunger.
  • Illness.
  • Poor sleep.
  • Substances like alcohol and drugs.
  • Very low blood sugar, especially for diabetics.

Keeping a journal of your seizures will provide helpful information to pinpoint your triggers and manage your epilepsy symptoms. Include information like the time of day, how you felt, what you were doing, your sleep habits, what you ate or drank, and more.

4. There’s More than One Type of Seizure

There are many different types of seizures. They don’t always look like they do in the movies — someone falling down and shaking violently. Stiff, jerky movements and loss of consciousness can signal a seizure, though sometimes the person may simply stare into space. Seizures can also include mild muscle spasms, involuntary movements, or disruptions to speech, movement, vision, or other senses.

5. Individuals May Experience Different Warning Symptoms

Many people experience warning signals that a seizure is about to happen, sometimes called an aura. These warning signs are known as focal aware seizures (FAS). They may include sensitivity to smells, sounds, or sight, as well as anxiety, nausea, dizziness, and tunnel vision.

6. The Mental Health Connection

Although the reasons aren’t clear, people with epilepsy have higher rates of being autistic, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression. There are similar changes in brain functioning among these conditions. It’s also possible that the electrical disruptions from epilepsy can affect certain areas of the brain and cause behaviors common to ADHD, depression, and autism.

7. You Can Manage Epilepsy

Help is available for those who suffer from epilepsy. To diagnose epilepsy, your doctor will ask for a detailed medical history and perform blood tests. They may order a brainwave study called an electroencephalogram (EEG), and imaging studies like a CT or MRI.

Your doctor may prescribe medicine to help control the seizures, and they will recommend changes in lifestyle and diet. If these options don’t bring the seizures under control, you may be eligible for epilepsy surgery or a neurostimulation method such as a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS), responsive neurostimulator (RNS), or deep brain stimulator (DBS).  The UPMC Comprehensive Epilepsy Center offers all of those options.

You should also develop a seizure response plan. This is a written document that provides general medical information, emergency contacts, details about your seizures, medicines, and information about what to do if a seizure happens.

For more information on epilepsy treatment at UPMC, please contact the UPMC Department of Neurology at 412-692-4920, or visit the UPMC Comprehensive Epilepsy Center website.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .

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