Do you know that more than 50 million of the world’s population have epilepsy?
Imagine that you’re living in a community where many of its constituents are diagnosed with epilepsy. As a person in the same neighbourhood, are you willing to know more about this non-communicable neurological condition of the brain to understand people with epilepsy more?
If your answer is YES, then here are a few vital epilepsy facts and statistics that you should know.
But first…
What is Epilepsy?
It is a non-communicable brain disorder marked by spontaneous, recurring seizures. Seizures are episodes of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain that induce behavioral and physical abnormalities. Epilepsy can show itself in different ways. This is because seizures can come in several forms. Some people may have additional medical issues in addition to epilepsy.
That’s why many people undergo clinical trials for epilepsy to know the status of their condition better. These factors play a big role in determining the degree of a person’s illness and its impact on their lives.
Here are some statistics and facts on epilepsy that you need to know:
- One of the most frequent neurological disorders is epilepsy. Many situations can harm the neurons (nerve cells) in our brains since they are very sensitive and specialized.
- Epilepsy is not similar to a contagious virus. It means epilepsy cannot be transmitted from person to person.
- Epilepsy may affect anybody. Seizures begin in persons over the age of 65 almost as frequently as in children.
- Epilepsy has several recognized underlying causes, including traumatic brain injury, vascular abnormalities, brain infections, brain tumors, lack of oxygen to the brain, stroke, metabolic difficulties, immune system diseases, dementia, and some hereditary ailments that can affect the brain.
- The majority of people with epilepsy can perform the same activities as persons who do not have epilepsy. Some persons who suffer frequent seizures, on the other hand, may be unable to work, drive, or function normally in other areas of their lives.
- Never shove anything into the mouth of someone who is experiencing a seizure. Certainly not! Forcing something into someone’s mouth might chip teeth, slash gums, or even shatter their jaw. It’s critical to know what to do in the event of a tonic clonic seizure so you can react immediately and carefully.
- Epilepsy can cause death. While epilepsy is a rare cause of mortality, it is a dangerous disorder in which people do die. In epilepsy, the most prevalent cause of mortality is sudden unexpected death (SUDEP).
- The type of seizure being experienced determines the aspect of a seizure. Some seizures have the appearance of gazing spells. Other seizures can cause people to pass out, tremble, and lose awareness of their surroundings.
- People with epilepsy are more likely to experience physical issues (such as fractures and bruises from seizure-related traumas) and psychological issues such as anxiety and depression. (World Health Organization, 2019)
- Seizures can take several forms, and they come in almost 40 distinct varieties.
Someone may, for example, go ‘blank’ for a few seconds, roam around and be highly confused, or collapse to the ground and shake. So not all seizures are associated with shaking.
- A single seizure does not indicate epilepsy (up to 10 percent of people worldwide have one seizure during their lifetime). Two or even more uncontrolled seizures are deemed as epilepsy.
- Anti-seizure medicine is the first-line therapy for epilepsy. These medications are meant to aid with seizure frequency and severity. They work by reducing the electrical activity that causes seizures by affecting neurotransmitters. They won’t prevent a seizure that’s already started, and they won’t cure epilepsy. These drugs are usually given once or twice a day and come in tablet, liquid, or injectable form.
- People with epilepsy and their families face stigma and prejudice in many areas of the world.
- Every day, around 87 individuals are diagnosed with epilepsy.
- Epilepsy affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. (World Health Organization, 2019)
- Flashing lights impact up to 3% of persons with epilepsy (photosensitive epilepsy). Hence, most people with epilepsy do not experience seizures induced by flashing lights.
- Around 1 in every 100 persons who have epilepsy have photosensitive epilepsy, accounting for about 3% of these cases. Photosensitive epilepsy is more common in children and teenagers (up to 5%) and is diagnosed less frequently beyond 20. Lack of sleep, stress, and alcohol are significant factors, although they vary from person to person.
- If properly identified and treated, it is believed that up to 70% of persons with epilepsy might have seizure-free lives.
- One in every twenty persons will experience a single epileptic episode at some time in their lives (although this does not necessarily mean that they have epilepsy).
- Each year, one out of every 1,000 patients with epilepsy dies from a sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), according to specialists. Prolonged seizures might potentially be fatal (status epilepticus). This type of seizure emergency is responsible for 1.9 percent of epilepsy deaths.
- According to the University of Chicago Medicine, genetic predisposition is responsible for 30 % to 40% of epilepsy cases. First-degree relatives of those with hereditary epilepsy are four times more likely to develop it.
- Nearly 80% of persons with epilepsy reside in low- and middle-income countries, where adequate treatment is not always available.
Takeaway
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition, and seizures may happen to anyone, even if they have never had one before.
Infections of the central nervous system, brain tumors, strokes, and brain traumas are all possible causes. A seizure can also be triggered by the use or discontinuation of certain drugs, such as alcohol. The cause of the seizure determines the kind of seizure you have.
If you’re having your first seizure, seek medical help as soon as possible. If necessary, a healthcare expert can assist in determining the underlying reason and may be able to develop a treatment strategy right away.