What Is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can occur in anyone at any stage of life. The physical symptoms of a seizure depend on which part of the brain is impacted by excessive electrical discharges. Although most people think of a seizure as a full-body convulsion, seizures can manifest as brief muscle jerks, unconscious behaviors like picking at clothing or what appears to be a lapse of attention, like daydreaming.
- 1 in 10 people will experience a seizure in their lifetime
- 1 in 26 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy
- 17,000 Idahoans are living with epilepsy
- 3.4 MILLION individuals nationwide are affected by epilepsy
More people live with epilepsy than with autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy combined. Epilepsy is one of the world’s oldest known medical conditions, yet people with epilepsy still face stigma and misunderstanding.
1/3 of individuals are able to control their seizures with diet, medications and other therapies; others continue to struggle with an unexplained diagnosis. Much more research is needed to understand the cause of epilepsy and eventually find a cure.
