Epilepsy Awareness

Epilepsy is sometimes perceived incorrectly as a disease or a mental illness, but in fact epilepsy is a neurological condition caused by changes in the electrical activity in the brain. When this disturbance occurs there are excess electrical releases in the brain, which causes seizures. Seizures can last from a few minutes to only a few seconds. Epilepsy is not contagious and occurs in all ages, population groups, and races equally. Studies have shown that up to seventy percent of cases do begin before the age of 21.

"Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in children and the third most common in adults after Alzheimer's and stroke. Two hundred thousand new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed each year."
-- Epilepsy Foundation

Even though epilepsy is generally a chronic - and can be a lifelong - condition, people with epilepsy can live normal, active, and healthy lives. It is known that many athletes, authors, politicians, entrepreneurs, doctors, parents, and artists have epilepsy. Those living with this condition can eliminate seizures from their life by taking a simple daily medication.

Epilepsy can be prevented through good health care, highway safety, recreational and sports safety. According to The Epilepsy Foundation, "automobile accidents alone cause 540,000 Americans to suffer from head injuries each year. Almost 20,000 of them will develop persistent epileptic seizures as a result." Below are a few points to prevent head injuries and brain damage, which can lead to epileptic seizures.

• Minimize risks in recreational activities (wear protective headgear for skateboarding, football, baseball; play it safe when diving or climbing, etc.).
• Drive all vehicles safely (use seatbelts, observe speed limits, wear helmets where appropriate).

Resource: The Epilepsy Institute

Local Resources

• Akron Children's Hospital: Epilepsy Program
• Epilepsy Association of Northeast Ohio: Services and Upcoming Events
• Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio: Myths about Epilepsy
• The Cleveland Clinic: Signs and Symptoms
• Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital: Pediatric Epilepsy Center
• University Hospitals: Epilepsy Center and Information

State and National Resources

• Epilepsy.com: Diagnosis 101 - The Basics
• Epilepsy Foundation: Wellness & Lifestyle
• Mayo Clinic: Risk Factors of Epilepsy
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): Epilepsy Information
• Teens Health: Living with Epilepsy as a Teen
• WebMD: Living and Managing