Frequently Asked Questions About Epilepsy
Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions about epilepsy. You can share this information with your students.
What does "epilepsy" mean?
The word "epilepsy" is derived from a Greek word meaning "to seize." Today, the word "epilepsy" means nothing more than the tendency to have seizures.
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How many people have epilepsy?
Around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy. More than 3 million of these people live in the US. This means that about 1 in every 100 people in the US has experienced an unprovoked seizure or been diagnosed with epilepsy.
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How is epilepsy diagnosed?
A neurologist often performs the diagnosis and evaluation of epilepsy. An electroencephalogram (EEG) may be used to supplement information provided about the specifics of potential seizure activity. The information needed may include when the seizure started, the student’s appearance before, during, and after the seizure, and any unusual observations including changes in behavior. As an educator, it is important to keep track of seizure events that occur in your class so that you can share information with the parents of the affected student.
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Is there a cure for epilepsy?
To cure epilepsy, researchers and doctors need to know its cause. In most cases, the cause of epilepsy is unknown, so for many people living with epilepsy, a cure has not yet been discovered. For some people, the cause of their epilepsy is known. In these cases, it is sometimes possible to treat the underlying cause of their epilepsy.
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Can epilepsy be fatal?
Typically, the answer is no. In rare cases, a condition called status epilepticus can occur. This is when a person has continuous seizures for longer than 5 minutes without regaining consciousness. This is a true medical emergency and has the potential to be fatal. If you see this occur in your classroom, call 911 immediately. Thankfully, status epilepticus is not a common occurrence. More common is serious injury caused by hazards or accidents that occur when someone has a seizure unexpectedly in a potentially dangerous situation, such as while swimming or riding a bike.
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For more information on what you should do if you witness a student having a seizure, visit What to Do During a Seizure.
Can seizures occur if a student does not have epilepsy?
Yes. Epilepsy is an ongoing condition of recurrent unprovoked seizures. If a student has just a single seizure, and the seizure does not return, then it is not related to epilepsy. There are many types of non-epileptic seizures, and they often differ from those related to epilepsy. The most common difference between an epileptic and a non-epileptic seizure is that there is usually no evidence of any abnormal electrical brain activity after a non-epileptic seizure. Unless you’re aware that a student has epilepsy, it will likely be difficult for you to make this distinction—so it is important to treat any seizure you encounter with the same seriousness and sense of urgency.
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How can a non-epileptic seizure be provoked?
Some of the common causes of non-epileptic seizures are low blood sugar, fainting, heart disease, stroke, drug and alcohol withdrawal, and extreme stress or anxiety.
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How long do seizures last?
Every seizure is different, and seizures affect different students in different ways. Typically, though, the type of seizure determines how long it lasts. Depending on the type of seizure, it can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.
Learn even more about the different types of seizures here.
Be aware that any seizure lasting more than 5 minutes (known as status epilepticus) is considered a true medical emergency. If you see this occur in your classroom, call 911 immediately.
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Can people living with epilepsy lead normal lives?
Absolutely! You should encourage students with epilepsy to take part in many of the same activities and events as the rest of the class. For safety’s sake, there may be some provisions regarding dangerous activities—talk with your student’s parents to see if there are any activities that should be avoided or that require additional supervision.
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Learn even more. Sign up for Epilepsy Classroom updates
What is the correct way to respond to a seizure?
For starters, try to remain calm. The most important thing you can do for a student having a seizure is to keep him or her safe. Since you won’t be able to stop the seizure, your role will be to move any objects away that might cause him or her harm. Be sure not to put anything in his or her mouth—contrary to the popular myth, it is not possible for a person to swallow his tongue.
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See how you can help during a seizure. Learn about Seizure First Aid
What are some myths about epilepsy? What are the facts?
| MYTH |
FACT |
| You should hold a person down while he is having a seizure. |
Do not hold a person down. You should make sure the area near the person is safe and contains nothing hard or sharp. |
| You should put something in person’s mouth while he is having a seizure to prevent him from swallowing his tongue. |
Never put an object into a seizing person’s mouth. It is physically impossible for a person to swallow his tongue. Putting an object (such as a spoon or a wallet) into the mouth of a seizing person can cause harm, such as blocking his airway or damaging his teeth. |
| Epilepsy is contagious—you can catch it like a cold. |
Epilepsy is a condition in which a person has recurrent seizures. Epilepsy is not contagious. |
| You can make a person “snap out” of a seizure. |
There is really nothing you can do to end a seizure. The best thing is to be supportive and reassuring once the person regains consciousness. |
| People with epilepsy are physically limited in what they can do. |
Epilepsy affects everyone differently and some people are more severely affected; however, in most cases, epilepsy is not an obstacle to physical achievement. |
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