Epilepsy and SUDEP

 What is Epilepsy? 

• Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder and affects people of all ages.
• Epilepsy means the same thing as "seizure disorders."
• Epilepsy is characterized by unpredictable seizures and can cause other health problems.
• Epilepsy is a spectrum condition with a wide range of seizure types and control varying from person-to-person.
• Public misunderstandings of epilepsy cause challenges that are often worse than the seizures.

Statistics on Epilepsy

• 65 MILLION: Number of people around the world who have epilepsy.
• 3.4 MILLION: Number of people in the United States who have epilepsy.
• 470,000: Number of children in the United States who have epilepsy.
• 1 IN 26 people in the United States will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime.

What is SUDEP?

SUDEP is the sudden, unexpected death of someone with epilepsy, who was otherwise healthy. In SUDEP cases, no other cause of death is found when an autopsy is done. Each year, about 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy die from SUDEP. This is the leading cause of death in people with uncontrolled seizures.  For more information click on the links below.

https://www.epilepsy.com/learn 

https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living 

https://www.epilepsy.com/make-difference/public-awareness/aimforzero-striving-toward-future-free-sudden-unexpected-death 

http://knowsudepnow.org/

https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/SUDEP%20Institute%20Brochure%20Rev%2011-2018.pdf

https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/SUDEP_knowledgeispower_8.5x11_v4%204-2019.pdf

Get help with managing your epilepsy, click on this link  https://www.epilepsy.com/node/2000168 

24/7 support from the Epilepsy Foundation   

https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/247-helpline

Epilepsy Foundation provides support for Families. Click on the link below for more information:

• Accurate information regarding SUDEP and other causes epilepsy related deaths.
• Individual or family support from a bereavement support facilitator who is also a mother who lost her daughter to SUDEP.
• Enline bereavement support groups are designed to help families and individuals connect with others who have lost a loved one to epilepsy in a safe and confidential environment. We offer an Adult Support Group and a Young Adult Support Group. If you’d like more information about these groups, please email sudep@efa.org.

https://www.epilepsy.com/complications-risks/early-death-sudep/support-bereaved