November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disease in the U.S., yet it remains misunderstood by many. Below are five facts everyone should know about epilepsy.
- Epilepsy is a neurological disorder.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior. It is diagnosed when a person has two or more seizures that cannot be attributed to another condition.
- Often times, the cause of these seizures is unknown.
The four most common causes of epilepsy are head trauma, stroke, brain tumor, and brain infection. However, the cause of epilepsy is unknown in about 70 percent of cases.
- Epilepsy can occur at any age.
It is most common, however, in children and older adults.
- Seizure symptoms can vary widely.
Since epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in the brain, seizures can affect any process the brain coordinates. This means that symptoms can appear in a variety of different ways. However, most people with epilepsy tend to have the same type of seizure every time.
These symptoms include temporary confusion, staring spells, uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of consciousness or awareness, hallucinations, speech impairment, or psychiatric symptoms such as fear, anxiety or déjà vu.
- Approximately three million Americans have epilepsy.
One in 26 people in the U.S. will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.
EPI-HAB Supports Individuals Living with Epilepsy and its Many Challenges
At EPI-HAB, we provide meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with epilepsy. Typical work focuses on hand labor skills, and employees are paid at or above minimum wage with flexible hours.
Our 501(c) 3 organization is unique in that we do not solicit donations or charitable contributions, receive any grants – government or otherwise, nor do we conduct fundraisers. EPI-HAB operates and competes, for the most part, as a for-profit business.
Alongside our organization’s own efforts to increase the quality of life for Arizonans living with epilepsy, we donate excess profits to charities like the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona to advance the study of the disorder.
For more information about EPI-HAB, visit www.epihab.org.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
