WHAT IS EPILEPSY?
Epilepsy is a neurological condition caused by sudden changes of the electrical stability in the brain. Epilepsy is defined as recurrent unprovoked seizures. A single seizure is not epilepsy. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting over 65 million people worldwide of which 3.4 million are in the United States.
WHAT IS A SEIZURE?
A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical neuron activity in the brain. Seizures generally last from a few seconds to a few minutes, and can temporarily affect a person’s consciousness, awareness, and physical abilities. Anyone can have a seizure and often the cause is unknown.
Epilepsy Facts
WHAT IS SUDEP?
Sudden Deaths in Epilepsy refers to deaths in people with epilepsy that are not injury related and are healthy. 1 in 1,000 people die from SUDEP each year. No one knows for sure what happens; however, some believe seizures can affect your heart causing abnormalities in your heartbeat though this is not proven. SUDEP is more common in those who do not have control seizures controlled by medication.
Though there is no absolute cure for SUDEP, it is best practice to actively try to prevent seizures altogether. Taking steps such as avoiding seizure triggers and leading a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk associated with SUDEP. For those with more difficult forms of epilepsy, epilepsy surgery and other therapies can help to lower one’s risk.