FACTS

Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurring, uncontrolled seizures. Seizures are the result of brief electrical discharges of brain cells and can appear in several forms. They can range from convulsions to unusual body movements, to change in awareness, to a brief stare. The number of seizures experienced varies greatly from person to person from a few per year to several per day. Those whose epilepsy is controlled by medication may experience no seizures at all.

Causes of Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder

Epilepsy/seizure disorder may be caused by a number of things that make a difference in the way the brain works. Examples include head injuries, lack of oxygen, brain tumours, genetic conditions (such as tuberous sclerosis), lead poisoning, problems in development of the brain before birth, illnesses like meningitis, encephalitis, or even severe cases of measles. Quite often there is no one cause that can be found.

Genetics. Generally, children of a parent with epilepsy/seizure disorder have a slightly higher probability of developing the condition than the rest of the population. However, the probability is much greater that they will not.

Other Considerations

Brain Injury. Seizures generally do not have lasting effects on brain function. However, seizures that last an unusually long time, or a series of nonstop seizures, may produce changes in the brain that may reduce the person's ability to function in one way or another. Changes in alertness, should they occur, may be due to side effects from medication.

Death. A seizure is very seldom a direct cause of death. Rather, the danger is indirect in the sense that the seizure may occur in water, near heights, while driving a car, falling in such a way that breathing is blocked or suffering a heart attack as a result of the stress of the seizure. In very rare cases breathing may not start again when a convulsive seizure is over, in which case artificial respiration should be given. In cases where death is directly attributed to epilepsy, it is usually as a result of a series of nonstop seizures that may last for hours if not treated. People suffering more than one convulsive seizure in a short period of time should always receive immediate medical attention.

Mental Ability. Generally, people with epilepsy/seizure disorders fit into a normal range of intelligence. When compared to the general population there are just as many individuals with high, average and low intelligence. However, average or above average intelligence does not guarantee performing at that level. This may be due to a number of factors including medication and unrecognized seizures.

On occasion people with epilepsy/seizure disorder who experience hallucinations think that they may be mentally ill. Nothing could be further from the truth. It must be cautioned, however, that people with epilepsy/seizure disorder can have a mental illness just like anyone else.

Aging. As the person with epilepsy/seizure disorder grows older, some forms of childhood epilepsy/seizure disorder (absence) may be out-grown. Conditions do not generally worsen and seizures often diminish.

Driving. People with epilepsy/seizure disorder can get a driver's license if their seizures are under reliable control and are under a physician's care. However, each case is given individual consideration as to seizure type, frequency, time of occurrence and other factors. Some provinces require the person to be seizure free for two years, and others, only eight months. Local licensing authorities should be contacted for exact details.

Employment. The Canadian Human Rights Act forbids employers to make a distinction between certain individuals and others based on a characteristic that has nothing to do with the job. Those characteristics include: race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, marital status, family status, mental or physical disability, and pardoned conviction.