Finish the sentence
random
Symptoms
Causes
Triggers

100

Around _______ million people in the US has epilepsy.

3,000,000

100

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy — also known as a seizure disorder — is a brain condition that causes recurring seizures.

100

Seizure symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure. Because epilepsy is caused by certain activity in the brain, seizures can affect any brain process. Seizure symptoms may include ...

List at least2

  • Temporary confusion.
  • A staring spell.
  • Stiff muscles.
  • Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs.
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Psychological symptoms such as fear, anxiety or deja vu.
200

Epilepsy is the ____ most common neurological disease.


4th

200

What are some complications caused by Epilepsy?

  • Falling. If you fall during a seizure, you can injure your head or break a bone.
  • Car accidents. A seizure that causes either loss of awareness or control can be dangerous if you're driving a car or operating other equipment. 
  • Trouble with sleep. People who have epilepsy may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, known as insomnia.
  • Memory loss. People with some types of epilepsy have trouble with memory.
200

Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half the people with the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors, including:

Genetic Influence

Head Trauma

Infections

injury before birth

developmental conditions

300

 Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people may lose awareness during a seizure while others don't. Some people stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure. Others may repeatedly twitch their arms or legs, movements known as _______

convulsions

300

Risk factors

Certain factors may increase your risk of epilepsy:

  • Age. The onset of epilepsy is most common in children and older adults, but the condition can occur at any age.


  • Family history. If you have a family history of epilepsy, you may be at an increased risk of seizures.


  • Head injuries. Head injuries are responsible for some cases of epilepsy. You can reduce your risk by wearing a seat belt while riding in a car. Also wear a helmet while bicycling, skiing, riding a motorcycle or doing any activities with a high risk of head injury.


  • Stroke and other vascular diseases. Stroke and other blood vessel diseases can cause brain damage. Brain damage may trigger seizures and epilepsy. You can take steps to reduce your risk of these diseases. Limit alcohol, don't smoke, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.


  • Dementia. Dementia can increase the risk of epilepsy in older adults.


  • Brain infections. Infections such as meningitis, which causes inflammation in the brain or spinal cord, can increase your risk.


  • Seizures in childhood. High fevers in childhood can sometimes be associated with seizures. Children who have seizures due to high fevers generally won't develop epilepsy. The risk of epilepsy increases if a child has a long fever-associated seizure, another nervous system condition or a family history of epilepsy.
300

Seizures can be triggered by things in the environment. Seizure triggers don't cause epilepsy, but they may trigger seizures in people who have epilepsy. Most people with epilepsy don't have reliable triggers that always cause a seizure. However, they often can identify factors that make it easier to have a seizure. Possible seizure triggers include:

list at least 2 

  • Alcohol.
  • Flashing lights.
  • Illicit drug use.
  • Skipping doses of antiseizure medicines or taking more than prescribed.
  • Lack of sleep.
  • Hormone changes during the menstrual cycle.
  • Stress.
  • Dehydration.
  • Skipped meals.
  • Illness.
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