How many people in Florida have epilepsy?
Epilepsy - Frequently Asked Questionsestimated 1% of the population has epilepsy. In Florida that's more than 145,000 people. The Epilepsy Foundation of America estimates that 2,500,000 Americans have epilepsy.
Related QuestionsHow many people in the US have epilepsy?
Epilepsy Information and Frequently Asked Questions: What Is...Estimates range from about 1.4 to 2.7 million people, depending on the diagnostic criteria and study method used. Epilepsy can occur at any age but is most frequently seen in the very young and the elderly.
Related QuestionsAre people with epilepsy also mentally handicapped?
FAQ | NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy CenterMany people mistakenly believe that people with epilepsy are also mentally handicapped. In the large majority of cases, this is not true. Like any other group of people, people with epilepsy have a range of intellectual abilities. Some are brilliant and some score below average on intelligence tests, but most are somewhere in the middle. Most have normal intelligence and lead productive lives.
Related QuestionsAre people with epilepsy violent or crazy?
FAQ | NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy CenterThe belief that people with epilepsy are violent is an unfortunate image that is both wrong and destructive. People with epilepsy have no greater tendency toward irritability and aggressive behaviors than do other people. Many features of seizures and their immediate aftereffects can be easily misunderstood as "crazy" or "violent" behavior. Unfortunately, police officers and even medical personnel may confuse seizure-related behaviors with other problems.
Related QuestionsCan people with epilepsy hold a job?
Frequently Asked QuestionsBy law in the United States, people with epilepsy and other handicaps cannot be denied employment because of their seizures. However, epilepsy varies greatly in severity, and people with more severe types may find it difficult to work or attend school. About 75% of adults with epilepsy are employed.
Related QuestionsAre people with epilepsy born with it?
Epilepsy Foundation-Frequently Asked QuestionsSome people have seizures shortly after birth and continue to have them throughout their lives, but this is a very small number. Others will develop epilepsy in childhood or later in life as a result of things which injure the brain – trauma, serious infections, metabolic problems. Often there is no known cause, in which case people may have an inborn tendency to develop the condition.
Related QuestionsCan people with epilepsy swallow their tongues?
Epilepsy Foundation-Frequently Asked QuestionsNo. It is not possible to swallow your tongue. Occasionally, the tongue will block the airway (which is why the “swallowing” myth developed), but this can be prevented by placing the person on one side, allowing gravity to keep the airway clear of the tongue and any fluids in the mouth. You should never try to pry open the mouth when someone is having a seizure. It will not aid breathing and it may seriously damage teeth and jaw.
Related QuestionsWhat is the most common medication for people with epilepsy?
Epilepsy Foundation-Frequently Asked QuestionsSeizure type (and sometimes cost) affects which medicine is prescribed. Phenobarbital is relatively cheap, treats most types of adult seizures, and is still used extensively. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin) are also widely used. Primidone (Mysoline), valproate (Depakene or Depakote), and ethosuximide (Zarontin) are also frequently prescribed.
Related QuestionsCan people with epilepsy drive legally?
Epilepsy Foundation-Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, if they meet the requirements of the local department of motor vehicles. These requirements usually consist of a period of complete freedom from seizures (anything from three months to a year, depending on the state) and may include a letter from a treating physician. People who have seizures despite medication will not be licensed and therefore cannot drive legally.
Related QuestionsCan people with epilepsy lead normal lives?
Epilepsy - Frequently Asked questions about epilepsy, seizur...People with epilepsy can lead normal, productive lives provided they are effectively treated for their condition. Most people with epilepsy can work, go to school, exercise, socialize, and drive a car. Of course, limitations may vary depending upon seizure type, time of day when seizures occur and the level of control which has been achieved. It is important to remember that each individual with epilepsy has varying abilities and limitations; generalizations should not be made.
Related QuestionsIs it true that people with epilepsy aren't allowed to drive?
Frequently Asked QuestionsGenerally, people who have epilepsy but who have been seizure-free for 12 months or more should be able to drive. Some states issue restrictive licenses that limit the times of day and distance that people with epilepsy may legally drive.
Related QuestionsDo most people with epilepsy wear medical ID?
Epilepsy Foundation-Frequently Asked QuestionsNo, some people do not wear medical identification. However, many do. They wear ID bracelets or necklaces and these should always be looked for and checked in cases of possible seizure.
Related QuestionsWhat is Epilepsy?
Frequently Asked QuestionsEpilepsy is a chronic medical condition produced by temporary changes in the electrical function of the brain, causing recurrent seizures which affect awareness, movement, or sensation. "Recurrent" is a key word because a dog who has an isolated seizure does not have epilepsy. Also note that epilepsy is not a disease but rather a neurological disorder that affects the brain and shows itself in the form of seizures.
Related QuestionsEpilepsy Foundation-Frequently Asked QuestionsEpilepsy is a neurological condition that from time to time produces brief disturbances in the normal electrical functions of the brain. Normal brain function is made possible by millions of tiny electrical charges passing between nerve cells in the brain and to all parts of the body. When someone has epilepsy, this normal pattern may be interrupted by intermittent bursts of electrical energy that are much more intense than usual.Related Questions
UC Davis Comprehensive Epilepsy Program - FAQ about epilepsyEpilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. A seizure is a brief alteration of consciousness (level of awareness), muscle control, behavior or sensory perception. Seizures can last a few seconds to several minutes. Most seizures last less than 2 minutes. During a seizure, brain cells behave abnormally and show unusual repeated electrical discharges.Related Questions
Epilepsy - Frequently Asked questions about epilepsy, seizur...Epilepsy is a disorder that briefly interrupts the normal electrical activity of the brain. Normally, neurons, which are cells that carry electrical impulses, form a network allowing communication between the brain and rest of the body. Neurons "fire" or send electrical impulses toward surrounding cells, stimulating neighboring cells to fire.Related Questions
Epilepsy Information and Frequently Asked Questions: What Is...Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which people experience repeated seizures. Let’s start with the basics. Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes the brain to produce sudden bursts of electrical energy. For the brain to function, there needs to be a balance between increased activity (excitation) and restraint (inhibition). When this balance is changed, a seizure may result.Related Questions
Why do some red lights have strobe lights? Are these a danger to people with epilepsy?
misc.transport.road FAQStrobes are installed within a red signal lens at intersections at which a signal is not expected, such as after a long stretch of a high-speed highway with no signals. The strobe light is there to call attention to the red light. In some instances a stand-alone red signal with a strobe is used. The strobes are either linear across the red lens or circular around its edge.
Related QuestionsWhere are they in Florida, and when were they first found there?
Swamp eel FAQsThe eels were first found in Florida in 1997. Three populations are known. Sites include canals in the northern Miami area, a small drainage near southern Tampa Bay, and a canal system close to Homestead near Everglades National Park.
Related QuestionsWhat are the surgical options for people with epilepsy?
FAQs: The University Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at The Un...For most people with epilepsy, their seizures are well controlled by antiepileptic drugs. But for those with intractable epilepsy, surgery may be an option. The surgery is specific to the type of epilepsy the patient has. Temporal and extratemporal cortical resection removes the brain tissue containing the epileptic focus. The Center uses Functional Image-Guided Surgery to create a precise "road map" of the brain and enables the neurosurgeon to avoid healthy tissue.
Related QuestionsCan people with Epilepsy get social assistance?
Epilepsy Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ)A person who has Epilepsy may qualify for assistance to prepare for and to obtain employment. Assistance may take the form of vocational assessment, counselling, academic, or technical training or job placement. Application should be made to your nearest office. A person who is severely disabled by seizures, and unable to compete in the work force, may apply for assistance. Application should be made to your nearest office.
Related QuestionsWhy are there so many hungry people in Southwest Florida?
The Harry Chapin Food Bank FAQsIn the Food Bank’s service area, the causes of hunger include under-employment, low-paying jobs, skyrocketing housing costs, and high medication costs faced by seniors. In Southwest Florida, the fastest growing segments of need include: 1) seniors living on very fixed incomes; 2) the working poor; and 3) children. The day-to-day existence and struggles of the Food Bank’s clients are heartbreaking and usually hidden.
Related QuestionsIs epilepsy ever contagious?
Epilepsy Foundation-Frequently Asked QuestionsNo, epilepsy is never contagious. You cannot catch epilepsy from someone else and nobody can catch it from you.
Related QuestionsWhat causes epilepsy?
Epilepsy Foundation-Frequently Asked QuestionsIn about seven out of ten people with epilepsy, no cause can be found. Among the rest, the cause may be any one of a number of things that can make a difference in the way the brain works. For example, head injuries or lack of oxygen during birth may damage the delicate electrical system in the brain.
Related QuestionsHow is epilepsy diagnosed?
Epilepsy Foundation-Frequently Asked QuestionsThe doctor's main tool in diagnosing epilepsy is a careful medical history with as much information as possible about what the seizures looked like and what happened just before they began. A second major tool is an electroencephalograph (EEG). This is a machine that records brain waves picked up by tiny wires taped to the head. Electrical signals from brain cells are recorded as wavy lines by the machine.
Related QuestionsHow is epilepsy treated?
Epilepsy Foundation-Frequently Asked QuestionsEpilepsy may be treated with drugs, surgery, a special diet, or an implanted device programmed to stimulate the vagus nerve (VNS therapy). Of these treatments, drug therapy is by far the most common, and is usually the first to be tried. A number of medications are currently used in the treatment of epilepsy. These medications control different types of seizures.
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