Epilepsy Talk
Truth is stranger than fiction | May 28, 2022
I call epilepsy a “stealth disease”, because it’s difficult to imagine how so few people know about a “silent” condition that affects so many.
For example, few people know:
* Epilepsy affects over 3.4 million Americans of all ages – more than Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, and Parkinson’s Disease combined.
* In America, Epilepsy is as common as Breast Cancer, and takes as many lives.
* It’s the third most common neurological disorder after Alzheimer’s and stroke.
*Almost 500 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed every day in the United States.
* Epilepsy affects 50,000,000 people worldwide.
* One in 100 people will develop epilepsy.
* One in 10 people will suffer a seizure in their lifetime.
* This year another 200,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with epilepsy.
* Children and seniors are at higher risk.
* 30% of those diagnosed are children.
* Epilepsy can develop at any age and can be a result of genetics, stroke, head injury, and many other factors.
* There are 40+ different types of seizures.
* For many soldiers suffering traumatic brain injury on the battlefield, epilepsy will be a long-term consequence.
* In two-thirds of patients diagnosed with epilepsy, the cause is unknown.
* In over 30% of patients, seizures cannot be controlled with treatment.
* Uncontrolled seizures may lead to brain damage and death.
* Up to 50,000 Americans die each year from seizures and related causes.
* The mortality rate among people with epilepsy is two to three times higher than the general population.
* Risk of sudden death among those with epilepsy is twenty-four times greater.
* Epilepsy results in an estimated annual cost of $15.5 billion in medical costs and lost or reduced earnings and production.
* The Federal Government spends much less on epilepsy research compared to other diseases, which affect fewer people.
* Each year the National Institute of Health (NIH) spends $30 billion of medical research, but just ½ of 1% is spent on epilepsy.
* St Valentine is the patron saint of people with epilepsy!
To subscribe to Epilepsy Talk and get the latest articles, simply go to the bottom box of the right column, enter your email address and click on “Follow.”
Resources:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/193586
https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/data/index.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/epilepsy
https://neurology.ufl.edu/2019/10/30/november-is-epilepsy-awareness-month-2/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265048/
Tags: 50 million worldwide, epilepsy statistics, mortality rate, research underfunded
13 Comments »
Leave a Reply
About the author
Epilepsy Talk 
Reblogged this on Disablities & Mental Health Issues.
LikeLike
Comment by Kenneth — May 28, 2022 @ 12:31 PM
I didn’t know this about epilepsy. Wow. Awareness is so vital to educate those that don’t know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by S.Z. Estavillo — May 28, 2022 @ 6:06 PM
Yup. As I say: Educate and advocate!
LikeLike
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 28, 2022 @ 6:08 PM
I often write about various awareness stuff, too and equally am a huge advocacy proponent. Feel free to check out my post, it’s about subjectivity and egos and why we can learn as creative professionals to learn from rejection. Not entirely related to your post subject, but I do also write about mental health subjects as well. So great that you’re an advocate. Education is key in teaching others. If you have time to read my blog, the link is below. Have a lovely day, Phylis! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by S.Z. Estavillo — May 28, 2022 @ 6:45 PM
Ah. Revise, reject, revise. How well I remember that from my last life as a DM copywriter.
Now the difference is I revise, revise but with much research in between. It’s a refreshing difference. 😉
LikeLike
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 28, 2022 @ 7:25 PM
In 2000 I was told at the NIH that 50 MILLION had epilepsy. & between 10 to 15 years later that number increased to 65 MILLION, and they stopped counting if you ask me. How many more now are getting the DX of epilepsy, since year 2020, when all these shots have been forced on most of us to take & get ? Not me, as I will never chance the high risk of having STATUS EPILEPTICUS and then death is more possible to happen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by James D — May 28, 2022 @ 8:49 PM
I’ve had status epilepticus, which left me almost speechless for months, but I’ve had a few seizures where only my head and throat convulse, I’m still aware, I can’t breathe with my throat closed over, thankfully I’ve survived so far, but that’s how epilepsy causes sudden death
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Gail Barry — May 29, 2022 @ 4:59 AM
I posted on a FB group, Functional Neurological Disorder, that epilepsy is as you’ve said , far more common even than cancer doesn’t get funds or research, you wouldn’t believe the filth I got back from people thinking cancer patients are heroes suffering with pain, wouldn’t even believe that epilepsy can kill you, my aunt died from cancer, I know what it means, I’ll never say anything against cancer patients, but please, recognise our epilepsy! Though I will say something bad about our UK cancer charities, I’ve suffered the worst insults at their charity shops when I try to volunteer, did some work at one then got thrown out without even a thank you for what I’d done,which included having a focal seizure
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Gail Barry — May 29, 2022 @ 4:54 AM
People don’t believe what they can’t see, they’re that self-absorbed.
As for charities, I once had a similar experience.
A friend of mine said (in jest), “It’s sad when you can’t even give it away.” 😥
LikeLike
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 29, 2022 @ 9:20 AM
dorod507@gmail.com
LikeLike
Comment by Bomo bomo — May 29, 2022 @ 11:07 AM
I have been sick of Epilepsy for 30 years I have no get the best medical of it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Bomo bomo — May 29, 2022 @ 11:10 AM
Bomo, perhaps this article will help:
When Your Meds Cost More Than You Can Afford — AED Drug Assistance Programs https://epilepsytalk.com/2021/04/27/when-your-meds-cost-more-than-you-can-afford-aed-drug-assistance-programs/
LikeLike
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 29, 2022 @ 1:10 PM
Sent from my iPad
>
LikeLike
Comment by Leonard Hamilton — June 4, 2022 @ 2:14 PM