Facts about Epilepsy
Age
Epilepsy can develop at any age.
About 50% of new cases of epilepsy begin in childhood and adolescence, with the highest incidence during the first few months of life. Many people who develop seizures during their childhood or adolescence tend to experience a reduction in the intensity and frequency of seizures as they approach adulthood.
There is also a sharp increase in incidence during later life, with some studies showing almost 25% of new cases of seizures occurring after age 60, perhaps as a result of small strokes.
Prevalence
It is estimated that 1-2% of the population have had, or will have, some form of seizure disorder during their lifetime. That's possibly as many as 1 person in 50.
Genetics
About 30% of seizures relate to a clear-cut abnormality in the brain. In the other 70% of cases the brain appears normal. In these cases, genetic causes are suspected. Multiple genes are involved, however, and inheritance does not follow simple Mendelian rules.
Medical Assistance
If you think that you
or any member of your family
might have a seizure disorder,
contact your family physician.
You or the member of your family
may be referred to a neurologist,
depending on individual circumstances. |
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