[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/04\/facts-about-epilepsy\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/04\/facts-about-epilepsy\/","headline":"7 Facts About Epilepsy","name":"7 Facts About Epilepsy","description":"Epilepsy is much more common than you might think, though misconceptions about this condition are prevalent. These epilepsy facts clear the air.","datePublished":"2019-04-11","dateModified":"2024-09-06","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery-regions","name":"Neurosurgery","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/neurosurgery\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Pap-Smear.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Pap-Smear.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/04\/facts-about-epilepsy\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Neurosurgery and Brain Health"],"wordCount":636,"keywords":["brain health","epilepsy","seizures"],"articleBody":"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\u2019s WidespreadAn estimated 3.4 million people in the United States have epilepsy, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. That\u2019s more people than those with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson\u2019s 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\u2019t be explained by another medical condition.2. There\u2019s More Than One CauseMost causes of epilepsy are still unknown. According to the\u00a0Epilepsy Foundation, only 1 in 3 patients actually know the cause of their epilepsy. Some of those\u00a0common causes may\u00a0include head injury, stroke, brain tumor, infection (like meningitis or encephalitis), or Alzheimer\u2019s 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 PeopleCommon 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\u2019s More than One Type of SeizureThere are many different types of seizures. They don\u2019t always look like they do in the movies \u2014 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 SymptomsMany 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 ConnectionAlthough the reasons aren\u2019t clear, people with epilepsy have\u00a0higher rates of being autistic, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and\u00a0depression. There are similar changes in brain functioning among these conditions. It\u2019s 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 EpilepsyHelp 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\u2019t bring the seizures under control, you may be eligible for\u00a0epilepsy surgery\u00a0or a neurostimulation method such as a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS), responsive neurostimulator (RNS), or deep brain stimulator (DBS). \u00a0The UPMC Comprehensive Epilepsy Center offers all of those options.You should also develop a\u00a0seizure 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\u00a0UPMC Comprehensive Epilepsy Center website.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on April 11, 2019, and was last reviewed on September 6, 2024."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2019","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"7 Facts About Epilepsy","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/04\/facts-about-epilepsy\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]