News - Epilepsy Action (2024)

FAQs

What is the new news about epilepsy? ›

Fintepla Safely Reduces Seizures in Children Younger than 2, Study Finds. Treatment with Fintepla (fenfluramine) appeared to be reasonably safe and lower seizure frequency in five children with Dravet syndrome who started on the therapy before they were two years old.

Improved seizure control can reduce morbidity and mortality. Two new ASMs were launched in the United States in 2020: cenobamate for focal epilepsy in adults and fenfluramine for Dravet syndrome (DS). They offer markedly improved efficacy.

A patient assistance program is a special service offered by all major drug companies. If you can't afford your medications, drug manufacturers may offer benefits like: Prescription medicine free of charge or at low cost. Medicine sent to your home, your doctor's office, or your pharmacy.

If you do not have a job and cannot work because of your epilepsy, you may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance. If you're aged 64 or under and need help with personal care or have walking difficulties, you may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment.

While there are many medications, medical devices, and surgical options to treat epilepsy, right now, there are no known cures for epilepsy. However, incredible advancements in research have helped us understand the mechanisms that cause seizures better than at any other point in history.

Seizures are uncontrolled bursts of electrical activities that change sensations, behaviors, awareness and muscle movements. Although epilepsy can't be cured, many treatment options are available. Up to 70% of people with epilepsy can manage the disease with medications.

AEDs are the most commonly used treatment for epilepsy. They help control seizures in around 7 out of 10 of people. AEDs work by changing the levels of chemicals in your brain. They do not cure epilepsy, but can stop seizures happening.

Life expectancy was reduced irrespective of epilepsy aetiology (symptomatic ∼14 years; idiopathic ∼8-10 years), and in particular in people with epilepsy and psychiatric comorbidity (∼13-16 years). Excess mortality was evident across all causes of death including cardiovascular disorders, accidents, and suicide.

Some foods should be avoided or limited, such as foods that are high in sugar, foods and beverages that contain caffeine, and alcohol. Some people with seizures that don't respond well to medications may benefit from a medically supervised diet such as the ketogenic diet or the modified Atkins diet.

Epilepsy is a potentially disabling condition that can negatively impact someone's quality of life. People with epilepsy may be eligible for disability benefits if their seizures are severe, frequent, don't respond to anti-seizure medications, and significantly impair their day-to-day functioning.

Do I get free dental care if I have epilepsy? ›

As things stand, the overwhelming majority of people with epilepsy have to pay for dental treatment.

Many people with epilepsy are eligible to claim a blue badge, however, there are eligibility criteria which must be met before a badge can be issued.

Theodore Roosevelt: Throughout his life, Roosevelt suffered from epilepsy and was prone to epileptic seizures, but that did not hold him from his convictions. Upon the end of the Spanish-American war, he was elected governor of New York in 1898.

People with uncontrolled seizures should avoid dangerous activities like scuba diving, rock climbing, skydiving, hang gliding, and mountain climbing. These sports require full concentration, and any episode of loss of consciousness may lead to injury and possible death.

A new study using the UK Biobank database has shown that people with epilepsy are at an increased risk of developing dementia. The results demonstrate that this risk is multiplied in individuals who also have high cardiovascular risk, highlighting the importance of addressing modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.

Active Epilepsy

This is about 3.4 million people with epilepsy nationwide: 3 million adults and 470,000 children. According to the latest estimates, about 0.6% of children aged 0-17 years have active epilepsy. Think of a school with 1,000 students—this means about 6 of them could have epilepsy.

In general, people with epilepsy of unknown cause have a close-to-normal life expectancy. People with an inherited type of epilepsy may live 10 years less than the general population. Until the mid-1960s, about 1 in 3 people with epilepsy achieved remission. Remission means long-term freedom from seizures.