Category Archives: Seizure

36 Epilepsy Facts You Should Know

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Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system often caused by abnormal electrical discharges that develop into seizures. The following are additional facts on epilepsy and seizures:

  1. More people live with epilepsy than autism, spectrum disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy combined.
  2. You can’t swallow your tongue during a seizure. It is physically impossible.
  3. You should never force something into the mouth of someone having a seizure.
  4. Don’t restrain someone having a seizure.
  5. Epilepsy is not contagious .
  6. Anyone can develop epilepsy.
  7. Epilepsy is not rare.
  8. 1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.
  9. An estimated 3 million Americans and 65 million people worldwide live with epilepsy.
  10. In 2/3 of patients diagnosed with epilepsy, the cause is unknown.
  11. Up to 50,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. from status epilepticus (prolonged seizures). (SUDEP) and other seizure-related causes such as drowning and other accidents.
  12. Between 4 and 10 out of 1,000 people on earth live with active seizures.
  13. 3.4 million people in the United States have epilepsy.
  14. Epilepsy is not contagious
  15. 1/3 of people diagnosed with epilepsy have uncontrolled seizures because the available treatment does not work.
  16. SUDEP accounts for 34% of all sudden deaths in children.
  17. Epilepsy costs the U.S. approximately 15.5 billion each year.
  18. A seizure is a transient disruption of brain function due to abnormal and excessive electrical discharges in brain cells.
  19. Epilepsy is a disease of the brain that predisposes a person to excessive electrical discharges in the brain cell.
  20. It is diagnosed when 2 or more unprovoked seizures have occurred.
  21. It must be at least 2 unprovoked seizures more than 24 hours apart.
  22. About 14% have simple partial seizures.
  23. 36% have complex partial seizures.
  24. 5% have tonic-clonic seizures.
  25. Seizures can be caused by head trauma, stokes, brain tumor and a brain infection.
  26. Causes are unknown in 60 to 70% of cases.
  27. The prevalence is 1% of the U.S. population.
  28. Approximately 2.2 to 3 million in the U.S. have seizures.
  29. It affects all ages, socioeconomic and racial groups.
  30. Incidents are higher in children and older adults.
  31. Seizures can range from momentarily blanks to loss of awareness
  32. Almost 150,000 people in the U.S. develop epilepsy every year.
  33. No gender is likely to develop than others.
  34. 1/3 of individuals with autism spectrum disorders also have epilepsy.
  35. The prevalence of epilepsy in people with an intellectual disability is higher than the general population.
  36. It takes up to 5 times more energy for a person with epilepsy to complete even the most simple task.

CDKL5 and Teaching Strategies

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CDKL5 is a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes signs of early-onset epilepsy. In fact 90% of children diagnosed with CDKL5 disorder are more likely to develop epilepsy. CDKL5 is derived from a gene and one of the most common causes of genetic epilepsy. Children diagnosed with CDKL5 also face many other developmental challenges as well.

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

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Facts

It is a neurodevelopment disease caused by the CDKL5 gene.

It impacts cognitive, motor, speech and visual function

It affects 1 in 40,000-60,000 children each year.

CDKL5 was previously called STK9

The disorder mainly affects females

The cause of CDKL5 deficiency disorder is unknown

Signs of CDKL5 deficiency includes epileptic seizures

Starting within hours of birth to 2 years of life, some children often go for 24 hours or more without sleeping.

Signs and Symptoms of CDKL5
Teaching Strategies

The following are teaching strategies that can used when teaching children with the CDKL5 disorder:

  • Provide frequent breaks
  • Use assistive technology
  • Provide extra time
  • Repeat directions
  • Use concrete items when possible
  • Break task into smaller steps
  • Teach in sequence
  • Use a multisensory approach
  • Use hand-on material

 

Children's Hospital.org
Genetic Home Reference
International Foundation for CDKL5 Research
Rare Diseases.org

 

 

New screening tool can improve the quality of life for epilepsy patients with sleep apnea

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Published by: Medical Xpress

Rutgers researchers have developed a tool to help neurologists screen for obstructive sleep apnea in people with epilepsy whose seizures can be magnified by sleep disorders.

The study appears in the journal Neurology Clinical Practice.

Although detection and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can improve seizure control in some patients with epilepsy, providers have not regularly assessed patients for those risk factors. The researchers developed an electronic health record alert for neurologists to evaluate a patient’s need for a sleep study.

This study can determine the necessity for treatment, which can result in improved seizure control, reduction in antiepileptic medications and reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Click here to read the rest of the story

Epilepsy Links and Resources

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Epilepsy is a neurological disorder which causes seizures through electrical impulses occurring in the brain. It is the fourth most common neurological disorder. Epilepsy affects 50 million people worldwide. In the U.S., 1 out of 26 people are affected. Want to learn more? click on the articles below.

37 helpful epilepsy resources

Apps for tracking seizure

Benign Roladric Epilepsy

Epilepsy Facts

Epilepsy driving and state regulations

Epilepsy-General Information

Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

Ohtahara Syndrome

November is epilepsy month

West Syndrome

What you need to know about Dravet Syndrome

When an employee has a seizure

What to do when someone has a seizure

 

 

 

Epilepsy Driving and State Regulations

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Driving can be challenging for people who have a seizure disorder. Accidents may occur due to a seizure disorder which puts the person at risk. In the United States, each State has specific guidelines and laws on the requirement for driving once the person is seizure-free.

Most people are able to drive again once their seizures are under control. In some States, a letter from the doctor is required. Below are regulations for each State:

State Regulations

Alabama- 6 Months with exceptions

Alaska- 6 Months

Arizona- 3 Months with exceptions

Arkansas- 1 year

California- 3, 6 moths with exception

Colorado- No set seizure- free period

Connecticut- Not set seizure- free period

Delaware- Not set seizure- free period

District of Columbia- 1 year

Florida- Upon Doctor’s recommendation

Georgia- 6 Months

Hawaii- 6 months with exception

Idaho- 6 months with strong recommendation from doctor

Illinois- No set seizure- free period

Iowa- 6 months less if seizure nocturnal

Kansas- 6 months less if seizure nocturnal

Kentucky- 90 days

Louisiana- 6 months with doctor statement

Maine- 3 months or longer

Maryland- No set seizure- free period

Massachusetts- 6 months- less with doctor statement

Michigan- 6 months- less at discretion of department

Minnesota- 6 months with exception

Mississippi- 1 year

Missouri- 6 months with doctor recommendation

Montana- No set seizure- free period, doctor recommendation

Nebraska- 3 months

Nevada- 3 months with exception

New Hampshire- 1 year/ less- discretion of the department

New Jersey- 1 year: less on recommendation of committee

New Mexico- 1 year, less on recommendation of advisory board

New York- 1 year with exception

North Carolina- 6-12, with exception

North Dakota- 6 months, restricted license possible after 3 months

Ohio- No set seizure free period

Oklahoma- 6 months

Oregon- 6 months with exception

Pennsylvania-  6 months with exception

Puerto Rico- No set seizure- free period

Rhode Island- 18 months. Less with doctor recommendation

South Carolina- 6 months

South Dakota- 6-12 months less with doctor recommendation

Tennessee- 6 months with acceptable medical form

Texas- 6 months with doctor recommendation

Utah- 3 months

Vermont- No set seizure – free period

Virginia – 6 months with exception

Washington- 6 months with exception

West Virginia- 1 year with exception

Wisconsin- 3 months, with acceptable medical form

Wyoming- 3 months