Epilepsy facts for kids
Epilepsy is a long-term brain condition. It causes repeated seizures that don't have a clear reason. When someone has a seizure, it can look like they are shaking a lot. The shaking might be short and hard to notice, or it could last longer.
People with epilepsy are sometimes called epileptic, but it's the seizure itself that is described as "epileptic."
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What are the different types of epilepsy?
There are many different kinds of seizures, and also many different types of epilepsy. Most forms of epilepsy cannot be fully cured. However, medicines can often help people live easier lives. In some rare cases, surgery might help. For certain people, eating special foods, called a Ketogenic diet, can also help. This diet was first used for children with epilepsy before good medicines were available. Today, it helps when medicines don't seem to work well.
Some types of epilepsy go away after a while. For example, some only happen during childhood. Epilepsy isn't just one single condition. Instead, it's a group of health problems that all show up in similar ways.
How common is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is very common. About one out of every 100 people around the world has epilepsy. That's about 65 million people! Most cases, about 80%, happen in developing countries.
Epilepsy becomes more common as people get older. In richer countries, new cases often start in babies and older adults. In developing countries, it's more common in older children and young adults. Between 5 and 10 out of every 100 people will have a seizure without a clear cause by the time they are 80 years old. If someone has one seizure, there's about a 40 to 50% chance they will have another.
What happens during a seizure?
Epilepsy has many forms, but generally, these things are true:
- People might have muscle spasms or jerking movements.
- People can lose control of their body. They might fall and hurt themselves if they are standing or walking.
- People might become unconscious, meaning they pass out.
- Usually, people don't know they are having a seizure while it's happening. They might not remember what happened afterward.
- Sometimes, people feel a special sensation right before a seizure. This feeling is called an aura. They might remember the aura, but not the seizure itself.
- Most seizures last only a short time. A very long seizure, lasting over five minutes, is called status epilepticus.
- During a seizure, a person's reflexes might not work. They might also have trouble breathing for a short time.
- People are often tired after a seizure. They might also feel confused.
- People who have epilepsy are not mentally ill.
How is epilepsy treated?
Epilepsy is a common condition, and it has been studied a lot. There are medicines for many types of epilepsy that help people live better lives. Doctors usually say someone has epilepsy if they have had at least two seizures without an obvious cause. There are also seizures that are not caused by epilepsy.
Often, epilepsy is caused by small scars in the brain. Some forms of the condition are caused by genetic conditions that can be passed down from parents to children. Sometimes, a seizure can be triggered by not getting enough sleep, or other things that cause stress.
Many countries have special rules for people with epilepsy. For example, they might need to be seizure-free for a certain time before they can drive a car. They also need to take their medicines to manage their illness. In many countries, people with epilepsy cannot drive buses, taxis, or trucks.
What challenges can epilepsy cause?
People having an epileptic seizure can face some challenges:
- They might hurt themselves during the seizure. This can include broken bones or injuries from biting or hitting something.
- They might cause an accident during the seizure. This could be falling off a ladder, being involved in a car accident, or drowning while swimming.
- In some cases, people might stop breathing for a short time. If a seizure lasts a long time, or if there are many seizures in a row, the brain could be damaged.
- During a seizure, certain chemicals called neurotransmitters are released in the brain. If there are too many of these chemicals, the brain can be harmed.
What can increase the risk of seizures?
Sometimes, certain behaviors or situations can make seizures more likely. These are called risk factors and include:
If a person can manage stress, get enough sleep, and avoid certain substances, they can often lower their risk of having a seizure.
Famous people with epilepsy
Images for kids
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An EEG can help find where an epileptic seizure starts in the brain.
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A chart showing how seizures are classified, from 2017.
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Wristbands or bracelets are sometimes worn by people with epilepsy in case they need medical help.
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Hippocrates, a famous ancient Greek doctor, shown in a 17th-century drawing.
See also
In Spanish: Epilepsia para niños
