How common is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is one of the most common conditions affecting the brain. When counting both children and adults in the United States: About 5.1 million people in the United States have a history of epilepsy. About 3.4 million people in the United States have active epilepsy.
How many people worldwide are affected by epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable disease of the brain that affects people of all ages. Around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally. Nearly 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries.
What are the chances of passing on epilepsy?
Less than 2 people out of every 100 develop epilepsy at some point during their lifetime. The risk for children whose father has epilepsy is only slightly higher. If the mother has epilepsy and the father does not, the risk is still less than 5 in 100.
How many people live with epilepsy in the US?
Epilepsy Prevalence in the United States This is about 3.4 million people with epilepsy nationwide: 3 million adults and 470,000 children.
At what age does epilepsy usually start?
About epilepsy in children Epilepsy can begin at any time of life, but it’s most commonly diagnosed in children, and people over the age of 65. Some children with epilepsy will outgrow their seizures as they mature, while others may have seizures that continue into adulthood.
Can a person with epilepsy drive?
Yes. California’s Department of Motor Vehicles can revoke or suspend a person’s driver’s license if they suffer from epilepsy, seizures, or a lapse of consciousness. However, the DMV can only do so if the driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle is negatively affected.
Does epilepsy run in families?
Some types of epilepsy run in families and are both inherited and genetic. Not all epilepsies that are due to genetic causes are inherited. In general, if a person’s mother, father or sibling has epilepsy, their risk of developing epilepsy by the age of 40 is less than 1 in 20.