Little-Known Facts About Epilepsy

• In two-thirds of patients diagnosed with epilepsy, the cause is unknown.
• Epilepsy can develop at any age and can be a result of genetics, stroke, head injury, and many other factors.
• Recurring seizures are also a burden for those living with brain tumors and other disorders such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, tuberous sclerosis, and a variety of genetic syndromes.
• There is a strong association between epilepsy and depression: more than one of every three persons with epilepsy will also be affected by depression, and people with a history of depression have a higher risk of developing epilepsy.
• It is estimated that up to 50,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. from prolonged seizures, Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), and additional seizure-related causes such as drowning and other accidents.
• For many soldiers suffering traumatic brain injury on the battlefield, epilepsy will be a long-term consequence.

​​Cited from the Epilepsy Support Network of Orange County and EpilepsyAdvocate.com