Epilepsy is one of the conditions listed in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book, which means that if you meet the requirements in the Blue Book listing for epilepsy you may be able to get disability benefits.
Is epilepsy a major illness?
Epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable disease of the brain that affects people of all ages. Around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the
most common neurological diseases globally
. Nearly 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries.
Can I go to med school with epilepsy?
There are no federal laws barring
people with epilepsy from working as a nurse, physician, phlebotomist or other medical-related position. In fact, federal civil rights law, and many state laws, may protect your right to work in the medical profession.
Can you live a long life with epilepsy?
Many people with epilepsy can
conduct a normal life
. However, patients who have had epilepsy for a long time or whose epilepsy is difficult to control are at higher risk for unemployment. They may also need assistance in their daily life activities.
Does epilepsy shorten life span?
Reduction in life
expectancy can be up to 2 years for people
with a diagnosis of idiopathic/cryptogenic epilepsy, and the reduction can be up to 10 years in people with symptomatic epilepsy. Reductions in life expectancy are highest at the time of diagnosis and diminish with time.
Does epilepsy get worse with age?
Epilepsy can develop at any age
. Early childhood and older adulthood tend to be the most common life stages. The outlook tends to be better for people who develop epilepsy as children — there’s a chance they might outgrow it as they age.
Is coffee good for epilepsy?
Generally speaking,
most people with epilepsy should be OK to drink coffee
, tea, soda and other caffeinated drinks in small quantities without any serious risk of increasing the number of seizures they have.
Does epilepsy affect memory?
Over time, repeated temporal lobe seizures can cause the part of the brain that’s
responsible for learning and memory
(hippocampus) to shrink. Brain cell loss in this area may cause memory problems.
Is epilepsy a death sentence?
Death from epilepsy is rare
. The leading cause of death among people with uncontrolled epilepsy, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, or SUDEP, kills 1 in 1,000 people who have the disorder.
What famous person has epilepsy?
Musician Neil Young
was diagnosed with epilepsy in his childhood. 26th President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt struggled with epilepsy. Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham has mild epilepsy. Many books suggest Napoleon Bonaparte suffered from epilepsy throughout his life.
What happens if epilepsy is left untreated?
If epilepsy is not treated,
seizures may occur throughout a person’s life
. Seizures can become more severe and happen more often over time. Epilepsy can be caused by tumors or improperly formed blood vessels.
Should I marry someone with epilepsy?
There is no reason why
an epileptic person cannot get married
and have children and lead a normal life. However, correct diagnosis is required as there are several kinds of epileptic seizures. Proper medication and precautions need to be taken though.
Can you suddenly become epileptic?
Epilepsy can start at any age
, but usually starts either in childhood or in people over 60. It’s often lifelong, but can sometimes get slowly better over time.
What is the best medication for epilepsy?
- Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, others)
- Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
- Valproic acid (Depakene)
- Oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar, Trileptal)
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
- Gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin)
- Topiramate (Topamax)
- Phenobarbital.
Does drinking water help epilepsy?
In the hazards of living department: Individuals
with epilepsy must be wary of consuming large amounts of water or risk increasing their chance of developing seizures
. Excessive water intake is a known trigger for seizures and individuals with seizure disorders may be particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon.
