In November, the Epilepsy Foundation challenges America to Get Seizure Smart! Over three million Americans have epilepsy, making it the fourth most common neurological disorder in the United States.
During November Cook Children's Neurosciences department will be educating families and staff about epilepsy and seizures. We will be distributing the Get Seizure Smart quiz, educational materials, purple ribbons and bracelets to show support of this important cause.
Take the Get Seizure Smart quiz at www.GetSeizureSmart.org
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a condition that causes seizures and is known as a seizure disorder. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, a seizure happens when a brief, strong electrical surge of activity affects part or all of the brain. Seizures can last different lengths of time and can have a variety of symptoms ranging from blank stares to jerking movements and convulsions or even loss of consciousness. Epilepsy can develop at any age and can be caused by variety of factors including genetics, stroke or head injury, but in many cases the cause is unknown.
Facts about Epilepsy
- Epilepsy affects 50,000,000 worldwide
- Epilepsy affects over 3 million Americans of all ages – more than Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy and Parkinson's Disease combined
- In America, epilepsy is as common as breast cancer, and takes as many lives
- Almost 500 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed every day in the United States
- 1 in 100 people will develop epilepsy
- 30% of those diagnosed are children
- 1 in 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime
- Up to 50,000 Americans die each year from seizures or related causes
What is SUDEP?
SUDEP is an abbreviation for Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy. It is a definition used for epilepsy patients who pass away suddenly without any other apparent cause. SUDEP has been estimated to account for 15-20% of cases of death in people with epilepsy. The best way to prevent SUDEP is to maintain the best possible seizure control.
How can you participate in Epilepsy Awareness Month?
Here are some suggestions on how you and your family can be involved in Epilepsy Awareness Month:
- Take the Get Seizure Smart quiz at www.GetSeizureSmart.org
- Wear purple or lavender to show your support
- Change your voice mail message to: "It's National Epilepsy Awareness Month"
- Ask your child's school or sports team to wear purple at events during November
- Send a text to your friends asking them to take the Get Seizure Smart quiz at www.GetSeizureSmart.org
- Distribute the Get Seizure Smart quiz to your local fire department and police station
- Enter a photo in the Get Seizure Smart photo contest at www.GetSeizureSmart.org
- Change your email signature to let your friends know "It's National Epilepsy Awareness Month"
- Post a link to the Get Seizure Smart quiz on your Facebook page
- Distribute the Get Seizure Smart quiz to school nurses and health teachers in your school system
- Ask your child's teacher to give the Get Seizure Smart quiz in class
- Email a link to the Get Seizure Smart quiz to your friends and family
- Ask your child's school to put a copy of the quiz in every child's backpack
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