Fact sheet #1 What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is:

  • A tendency to experience recurrent, unprovoked seizures.
  • A seizure occurs when neurons send abnormal electrochemical signals to the brain; such signals result in an alteration in sensation, behaviour, and consciousness.
  • One of the most common neurological conditions, affecting one in 100 people.
  • Can affect anyone regardless of age, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
  • Commonly found in children under 2 years old and in the elderly (over the age of 65); around 70 million people globally are affected with epilepsy.
  • Its causes include genetic influences, medical disorders, head trauma, meningitis, lead and alcohol poisoning, and chemical and hormonal imbalance; in many cases the cause of epilepsy is unknown.
  • Most people become seizure-free by using anti-epileptic medication.
  • A spectrum disorder.
  • Encompasses > 25 syndromes, many types of seizures, seizures vary in severity, affects wide range of people, impacts on health/quality of life differ widely

 

Epilepsy Crossword:

Test your epilepsy knowledge with the crossword below. Click on a column or row to show the clue in the box below the crossword. To delete letters click a clue then press backspace.

Answers:
angst, empirical, ok, complex, cure, EEG, primal, epilepsy, level, toxicity, to, simple ECT, air, diet, seizures, under, ictal, compliance, minus, big, die, triggers, by, ruin, caffeine, help, aura, pack, tonic, intra, generalized, but

 
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Disclaimer: this fact sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional for advice regarding your epilepsy.
Last modified: March 23rd, 2018 by EWCT | Posted in: Fact Sheets