Epilepsy Basics Holly MI

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. It can usually be controlled with medication, although surgery may be a viable option in some cases. Not all types of epilepsy are lifelong—some forms are even confined to particular stages of childhood.

Because epilepsy affects each person differently, it's important for patients to take charge of their condition. By arming themselves with the facts, they can better manage their seizures and improve the ways in which they are perceived, accepted, and valued in society. Here, a look at the disease by the numbers:

• 50 million: Estimated number of people living with epilepsy worldwide.

• More than 3 million: Number of Americans living with epilepsy, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.

• 200,000: Estimated number of new cases of epilepsy and seizure disorders diagnosed in the U.S. each year.

• 50: Approximate percentage of people with epilepsy in which there are no identifiable causes for the condition.

• 2 or more: Number of seizures required before a person is considered to have epilepsy.

• 80: Approximate percentage of people with epilepsy whose seizures can be controlled with medication or surgery.

• 14.6: Average age of subjects when they experience their first epileptic seizure, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke...

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