According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) epilepsy is one of the most common conditions affecting the brain. When counting both children and adults in the United States:
- About 5.1 million people in the United States have a history of epilepsy.
- About 2.9 million people in the United States have active epilepsy.
- Ten percent of Americans will experience a seizure at least once in their lifetime, with the highest incidence occurring under the age of two and over the age of 65.
What is the difference between a seizure and epilepsy?
Seizures occur when nerve cells fire more rapidly and with less control than usual, affecting how a person feels or acts. These range from “absence seizures,” involving a brief lapse of conscious activity to “complex, partial seizures,” where one is unaware and unresponsive to seizures that can lead to loss of consciousness with the potential for falling, shaking and difficulty of breathing. Epilepsy, which is less common than seizures, is defined as recurrent unprovoked seizures due to a primary brain disorder.
What are common causes of seizures?
While the exact cause of the seizure may not be known, more common seizures can be caused by the following in children, adolescents and young adults:
- Perinatal disorders
- Congenital (present at birth) problems
- Fever/infection
- Metabolic or chemical imbalances in the body
- Genetic factors
- Alcohol or drugs
- Trauma to the head or brain injury
- Infection
- Congenital conditions
- Genetic factors
Other possible causes of seizures may include: brain tumors, neurological problems, drug withdrawal and medications.
Aimee F. Luat, M.D., pediatric epileptologist on staff at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, says it is important for parents and children to be aware of signs and symptoms of seizures. Since the treatment of seizures depends on an accurate diagnosis, making sure that a person has seizures and knowing what kind is a critical first step.
“Symptoms of seizures can be confused with other disorders such as ADHD, migraine, narcolepsy or mental illness. It is important for the general public to be aware of symptoms since delayed recognition of the disorder can lead to inappropriate treatment which can increase the risk for additional seizures, disability, and a decreased quality of life. Parents and children should seek medical attention including seeing a neurologist if the symptoms occur,” says Dr. Luat.
Symptoms of seizures include:
- Staring
- Temporary confusion
- Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs
- Stiffening of the body
- Loss of consciousness or awareness
- Breathing problems
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Falling suddenly for no apparent reason, especially when associated with loss of consciousness
- Not responding to noise or words for brief periods
- Appearing confused or in a daze
- Nodding the head rhythmically, when associated with loss of awareness or even loss of consciousness
- Periods of rapid eye blinking
The good news is about two-thirds of all kids with epilepsy outgrow the seizures that accompany it by the time they’re teens. Advanced treatment at centers that specialize in epilepsy treatment such as the Children’s Hospital of Michigan also offer comprehensive treatment plans with state of the art technology to pinpoint where the seizure is coming from leading to excellent outcomes.
For further information on epilepsy and seizure treatment visit http://www.childrensdmc.org/pediatric-neurology and http://www.childrensdmc.org/pediatric-neurosurgery.
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