Question: What Are The Long Term Effects Of Epilepsy?

Does epilepsy count as a disability?

Adults with epilepsy may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

Because epilepsy isn’t necessarily disabling if it’s well-controlled, you will need to prove that your epilepsy interferes with your daily activities even though you’ve taken anticonvulsant medications as prescribed for at least three months..

Does epilepsy affect life expectancy?


Does epilepsy worsen with age?


Does epilepsy cause memory loss?

Over time, repeated temporal lobe seizures can cause the part of the brain that’s responsible for learning and memory (hippocampus) to shrink. Brain cell loss in this area may cause memory problems.

What happens if epilepsy is left untreated?

If epilepsy is not treated, seizures may occur throughout a person’s life. Seizures can become more severe and happen more often over time. Epilepsy can be caused by tumors or improperly formed blood vessels.

Do seizures kill brain cells?

Seizures (both repetitive and brief seizures) can kill brain cells (neurons).

What is the best medication for epilepsy?

Many medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy and seizures, including:Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, others)Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)Valproic acid (Depakene)Oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar, Trileptal)Lamotrigine (Lamictal)Gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin)Topiramate (Topamax)Phenobarbital.More items…•Feb 24, 2021

Can epilepsy affect your eyesight?

​Possible Eye and Vision Changes Seizures due to epilepsy do not usually lead to permanent vision issues. But epilepsy may involve several vision and eye changes during a seizure. Epilepsy affects various lobes of the brain that control different movements and behaviors.

Does epilepsy change your personality?

When epilepsy affects you for long periods, you may notice changes in your behavior, your feelings, and in how you see the world. Feelings of depression or anxiety are especially common. A few people with epilepsy experience psychosis (losing contact with reality).

Can epilepsy cause other health problems?

Some health problems or symptoms are seen more often in people with seizures than in people without seizures. They could be related to the seizures, or they could be due to whatever is causing the epilepsy. For example, mood problems or changes could be related to times of seizures or side effects of medicines.

Does epilepsy cause brain damage?

Epilepsy facts* Sometimes severe seizure can cause brain damage, but most seizures do not seem to have a detrimental effect on the brain. Epilepsy has many possible causes, from illness to brain damage to abnormal brain development. Genetics may also play a role.

Do epileptics die younger?

How frequent and severe a person’s seizures are affects their risk for dying. People with seizures with no known cause may die only 2 years earlier than expected. People with seizures with a known cause may die 10 years earlier than expected.

Is epilepsy a mental illness?


Can Epilepsy be completely cured?

There’s no cure for epilepsy, but the disorder can be managed with medications and other strategies.

Does epilepsy cause dementia?

—Childhood epilepsy may be linked to brain amyloid deposition and increased risk of dementia.

Can someone with epilepsy live alone?

One out of five people living with epilepsy lives alone, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. This is welcome news for people who want to live independently. Even if there is a risk of seizure, you can build a daily routine on your terms.

How does epilepsy affect your body?


What organs are affected by epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system, which sends messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to direct the body’s activities. Disruptions in electrical activity in the central nervous system set off seizures.

Can epileptics drink alcohol?

Moderate to heavy alcohol use is never recommended for people with epilepsy. Alcohol and some seizure drugs have similar side effects. Using both at the same time can lead to bothersome and potentially dangerous problems.

Does epilepsy make you age faster?

Persons with chronic epilepsy may be at increased risk of abnormal cognitive and brain aging because of an increased prevalence of vascular risk factors that may result at least in part from treatment with antiepilepsy drugs (AEDs).

What should epileptics avoid?

Seizure triggersNot taking epilepsy medicine as prescribed.Feeling tired and not sleeping well.Stress.Alcohol and recreational drugs.Flashing or flickering lights.Monthly periods.Missing meals.Having an illness which causes a high temperature.

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