National Epilepsy Awareness Month

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, which brings attention to a condition affecting more than 1 million in the United States. Currently this condition has no cure, and continued research is needed. That is Epilepsy Awareness Month continues to make a difference in November and all year long. Since epilepsy is the 4th most common neurological disease, it impacts everyone. The condition does not discriminate. While anyone of any age and any population develop epilepsy, it is more common in children and the elderly. Epilepsy can last from a few years to a lifetime condition. Private Home Health Care supports National Epilepsy Awareness Month because epilepsy should not be a barrier to living a high quality life.

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the nervous system. Epilepsy is also known as a seizure disorder. It is usually diagnosed after a person has had at least two seizures (or after one seizure with a high risk for more) that were not caused by some known medical condition. Seizures seen in epilepsy are caused by disturbances in the electrical activity of the brain. The seizures in epilepsy may be related to a brain injury, genetics, immune, brain structure or metabolic cause, but most of the time the cause is unknown.

Most types of epilepsy can be controlled with medication, men, and women with epilepsy work and live healthy productive lives when they maintain treatment. However, they may face discrimination due to their condition. Throughout the month, the goal is to eliminate the stigma and fear surrounding epilepsy. The National Epilepsy Foundation encourages people to start talking about epilepsy because with more voices together, a greater change can be created. The foundation also maintains that more people need to know Seizure First Aid. Knowing the three words “Stay. Safe. Side.” and what they mean can help save lives. Additionally, seizures can affect the quality of life and one third of epilepsy patients experience uncontrolled seizures. Increased awareness can support raising funds for epilepsy research which can help improve treatments and one day find a cure.