Active epilepsy (which means that the person’s seizures are not completely controlled) is more common in
whites
than in blacks. The numbers of people who develop epilepsy over a lifetime (called lifetime prevalence) is higher in blacks than in whites.
Who does epilepsy affect more commonly?
Epilepsy is more common in
young children and older people
. Slightly more men than women have epilepsy. About 1 in 10 people will have an unprovoked seizure in their lifetime. 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy (recurring seizures) in their lifetime.
Who does epilepsy affect the most?
The onset of epilepsy is most common in
children and older adults
, but the condition can occur at any age. Family history. If you have a family history of epilepsy, you may be at an increased risk of developing a seizure disorder. Head injuries.
What people with epilepsy should avoid?
- Not taking epilepsy medicine as prescribed.
- Feeling tired and not sleeping well.
- Stress.
- Alcohol and recreational drugs.
- Flashing or flickering lights.
- Monthly periods.
- Missing meals.
- Having an illness which causes a high temperature.
What age does epilepsy usually start?
They can cause a wide range of symptoms. 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.
Does epilepsy ever go away?
While many forms of epilepsy require lifelong treatment to control the seizures,
for some people the seizures eventually go away
. The odds of becoming seizure-free are not as good for adults or for children with severe epilepsy syndromes, but it is possible that seizures may decrease or even stop over 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.
Does lack of sleep trigger a seizure?
Can sleep deprivation trigger a seizure?
Yes, it can
. Seizures are very sensitive to sleep patterns. Some people have their first and only seizures after an “all-nighter” at college or after not sleeping well for long periods.
What are the warning signs of epilepsy?
- Temporary confusion.
- A staring spell.
- Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs.
- Loss of consciousness or awareness.
- Cognitive or emotional symptoms, such as fear, anxiety or deja vu.
Is epilepsy a disability?
Medically Qualifying for Disability Benefits Due to Epilepsy
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.
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.
What foods should epileptics avoid?
Stimulants such as
tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, sweets, soft drinks
, excess salt, spices and animal proteins may trigger seizures by suddenly changing the body’s metabolism. Some parents have reported that allergic reactions to certain foods (e.g. white flour) also seem to trigger seizures in their children.
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.
What is the main cause of epilepsy?
Brain conditions that cause damage to the brain, such as brain tumors or
strokes
, can cause epilepsy. Stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy in adults older than age 35. Infectious diseases. Infectious diseases, such as meningitis, AIDS and viral encephalitis, can cause epilepsy.
Can you have epilepsy and not know it?
When you think of seizures, you may picture uncontrollable convulsions and loss of
consciousness
. However, these symptoms do not happen to many people who live with epilepsy or other seizure-producing disorders.
How does a person get epilepsy?
In general, epilepsy and seizures
result from abnormal circuit activity in the brain
. Any event ranging from faulty wiring during brain development, brain inflammation, physical injury or infection can lead to seizure and epilepsy. Underlying causes for epilepsy include: Brain structure abnormalities.
