Epilepsy Fast Facts
- Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures.
- There are many types of seizures and their symptoms can vary from a momentary disruption of the senses, to short periods of unconsciousness or staring spells, to convulsions.
- Epilepsy can be caused by many different conditions that affect a person’s brain. Often no definite cause can be found. Epilepsy cannot be transmitted from person to person.
- Epilepsy affects about 2 million Americans.
- About 10% of people will experience a seizure sometime during their lifetime and about 1 in 26 will be diagnosed with epilepsy at some point in their lives.
- About 140,000 new cases of epilepsy will be diagnosed in the United States each year.
- Epilepsy results in an estimated annual cost of $15.5 billion in medical costs and lost or reduced earnings and production.
Related Links
- National Insitutes of Health - Epilepsy Information page
- For links to other epilepsy organizations and educational resources, see Resources
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