Epilepsy is a group of
neurological disorders characterized by recurrent
epileptic seizures.[10] Epileptic seizures are episodes that can vary from brief and nearly undetectable periods to long periods of vigorous shaking.[1] These episodes can result in physical injuries, including occasionally
broken bones.[2] In epilepsy, seizures have a tendency to recur and, as a rule, have no immediate underlying cause.[11] Isolated seizures that are provoked by a specific cause such as poisoning are not deemed to represent epilepsy.[12] People with epilepsy may be treated differently in various areas of the world and experience varying degrees of
social stigma due to their condition.[2]
Epilepsy that occurs as a result of other issues may be preventable.[2] Seizures are controllable with medication in about 70% of cases;[8] inexpensive anti-seizure medications are often available.[2] In those whose seizures do not respond to medication,
surgery,
neurostimulation or dietary changes may then be considered.[6][7] Not all cases of epilepsy are lifelong, and many people improve to the point that treatment is no longer needed.[2]
As of 2022[update], about 50 million people have epilepsy (0.5-1% of the population).[14][1] Around 70% of cases occur in the
developing world.[1] In 2015, it resulted in 125,000 deaths, an increase from 112,000 in 1990.[9][15] Epilepsy is more common in older people.[16][17] In the developed world, onset of new cases occurs most frequently in babies and the elderly.[18] In the developing world, onset is more common in older children and young adults due to differences in the frequency of the underlying causes.[19] About 5–10% of people will have an unprovoked seizure by the age of 80,[20] and the chance of experiencing a second seizure is between 40 and 50%.[21] In many areas of the world, those with epilepsy either have restrictions placed on their ability to drive or are not permitted to drive until they are free of seizures for a specific length of time.[22] The word epilepsy is from
Ancient Greek ἐπιλαμβάνειν, 'to seize, possess, or afflict'.[23]
References
^
abcde"Epilepsy". www.who.int. World Health Organization. Archived from
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^
abHammer, Gary D.; McPhee, Stephen J., eds. (2010). "7". Pathophysiology of disease : an introduction to clinical medicine (6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.
ISBN978-0-07-162167-0.
^
abcdefLongo, Dan L (2012). "369 Seizures and Epilepsy". Harrison's principles of internal medicine (18th ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 3258.
ISBN978-0-07-174887-2.
^
abEadie MJ (December 2012). "Shortcomings in the current treatment of epilepsy". Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. 12 (12): 1419–27.
doi:
10.1586/ern.12.129.
PMID23237349.
^Wiebe, Samuel (2020). "375. The epilepsies". In Goldman, Lee; Schafer, Andrew I. (eds.).
Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Vol. 2 (26th ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier. pp. 2358–2370.
ISBN978-0-323-53266-2.
Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
^Chang BS, Lowenstein DH (September 2003). "Epilepsy". The New England Journal of Medicine. 349 (13): 1257–66.
doi:
10.1056/NEJMra022308.
PMID14507951.
^
abFisher R, van Emde Boas W, Blume W, Elger C, Genton P, Lee P, Engel J (2005). "Epileptic seizures and epilepsy: definitions proposed by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE)". Epilepsia. 46 (4): 470–2.
doi:
10.1111/j.0013-9580.2005.66104.x.
PMID15816939.
^Holmes, Thomas R.; Browne, Gregory L. (2008).
Handbook of epilepsy (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 7.
ISBN978-0-7817-7397-3.
Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
^L Devlin A, Odell M, L Charlton J, Koppel S (December 2012). "Epilepsy and driving: current status of research". Epilepsy Research. 102 (3): 135–52.
doi:
10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2012.08.003.
PMID22981339.
^Magiorkinis E, Sidiropoulou K, Diamantis A (January 2010). "Hallmarks in the history of epilepsy: epilepsy in antiquity". Epilepsy & Behavior. 17 (1): 103–8.
doi:
10.1016/j.yebeh.2009.10.023.
PMID19963440.