Epilepsy is correlated with seizures, however the seizures and epilepsy are two very different things. Seizures can occur without being related to epilepsy, as they can occur due to diabetes and other health conditions. In honour of November being Epilepsy Awareness Month, we’re going to explore what you can do to help someone with Epilepsy or being more aware.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder, that involves seizures due to temporary disruption of the electrical signals in the brain. Our brain sends messages for us to think, behave and move, when these electrical currents aren’t functioning properly, they can create a seizure to happen.
How common is epilepsy?
In Australia alone, 250,000 are living with epilepsy and 3% will experience epilepsy at some point in their life. Most often, epilepsy is diagnosed when you’re either a child or as a senior, with a staggering 40% of children being sufferers of epilepsy. There isn’t one form of epilepsy either, for some individuals it can fade overtime or can become a life-long struggle.
Most people are diagnosed with a specific epilepsy syndrome, which helps with the overall treatment process. The difference between forms of epilepsy, depends on factors like age when seizures first begun, type of seizures, response to medication and progression over time. Here are some known causes:
- Head injury
- Stroke or brain haemorrhage
- Lack of oxygen
- Brain infections
- Brain tumours
- Genetics
- Degenerative conditions affecting the brain
Did you know that physical exercise & quality movement aids Epilepsy management?
Although we know that exercise is good for everyone, it has important benefits for people with epilepsy and can contribute to improved seizure control and the management of the condition. Physical exercise and daily movement rarely triggers seizures in people with the condition.