Can epilepsy show up later in life?
Epilepsy can affect people at any age, but it’s more likely to develop in older adults.
Why did I get epilepsy out of nowhere?
Seizures in adults with no seizure history can be caused by a number of factors ranging from high blood pressure, drug abuse and toxic exposures to brain injury, brain infection (encephalitis) and heart disease.
Has anyone recovered epilepsy?
About 6 out of 10 people diagnosed with epilepsy can become seizure free within a few years with proper treatment. Many of these people will never have any more seizures.
What causes random seizures in adults?
Anything that interrupts the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure. This includes a high fever, high or low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or a brain concussion. But when a person has 2 or more seizures with no known cause, this is diagnosed as epilepsy.
When do you know you have epilepsy when you have a seizure?
When you have epilepsy, it means you have a tendency to have epileptic seizures. Anyone can have a one-off seizure, but this doesn’t always mean they have epilepsy. You will usually only be diagnosed with epilepsy if your doctor thinks that there is a high chance you could have more.
Why are so many people not diagnosed with epilepsy?
But for over half of all people with epilepsy, doctors can’t find a cause. It’s thought that our genes play a part in who does and who doesn’t develop epilepsy. This may explain why some people develop epilepsy with no clear cause. Researchers have found a number of genes linked to particular types of epilepsy.
What kind of doctor should I see if I think I have epilepsy?
If your doctor thinks you may have epilepsy, they should arrange for you to see a specialist doctor with experience in diagnosing and treating epilepsy. This is usually a neurologist. The specialist will base their diagnosis on what they are told about your seizures. Usually, they will also ask you to have some tests.
How old do you have to be to get diagnosed with epilepsy?
You will usually only be diagnosed with epilepsy if your doctor thinks that there is a high chance you could have more. Epilepsy can start at any age. There are many types of epilepsy. Some types last for a short time, and some types can last for the whole of your life.
When you have epilepsy, it means you have a tendency to have epileptic seizures. Anyone can have a one-off seizure, but this doesn’t always mean they have epilepsy. You will usually only be diagnosed with epilepsy if your doctor thinks that there is a high chance you could have more.
What to ask your doctor if you have epilepsy?
Since you were recently diagnosed with epilepsy, ask your doctor these questions at your next visit. What type of epilepsy do I have? Am I likely to have more seizures if I don’t get medication or other treatments? If I need medication, what side effects can I expect?
But for over half of all people with epilepsy, doctors can’t find a cause. It’s thought that our genes play a part in who does and who doesn’t develop epilepsy. This may explain why some people develop epilepsy with no clear cause. Researchers have found a number of genes linked to particular types of epilepsy.
You will usually only be diagnosed with epilepsy if your doctor thinks that there is a high chance you could have more. Epilepsy can start at any age. There are many types of epilepsy. Some types last for a short time, and some types can last for the whole of your life.