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Understanding Epilepsy
Main Menu
What Is Epilepsy?
Understanding Seizures
Who Can Get Epilepsy?
What Happens During a Seizure?
How Serious Are Seizures?
What Are the Risk Factors of Seizures?
Will You Always Have Seizures?
Seizure Triggers
Alcohol as a Seizure Trigger
Drug Abuse as a Seizure Trigger
Lack of Sleep and Epilepsy
Menstruation as a Seizure Trigger
Missed Medicines as a Seizure Trigger
Nutritional Deficiencies as a Seizure Trigger
Other Illnesses as a Seizure Trigger
Over Counter Medications and Epilepsy
Photosensitivity and Seizures
Stress and Epilepsy
Types of Seizures
Absence Seizures
Atonic Seizures
Atypical Absence Seizures
Clonic Seizures
Epileptic or Infantile Spasms
Febrile Seizures
Focal Bilateral Tonic Clonic Seizures (Secondarily Generalized Seizures)
Focal Aware Seizures (Simple Partial Seizures)
Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures (Complex Partial Seizures)
Gelastic and Dacrystic Seizures
Myoclonic Seizures
Drug-Resistant Seizures
Tonic-Clonic Seizures
Tonic Seizures
Epilepsy Syndromes
Early Infantile Developmental & Epileptic Encephalopathy
Familial Focal Epilepsy with Variable Foci (FFEVF)
Photosensitive Occipital Lobe Epilepsy (POLE)
Childhood Absence Epilepsy
Childhood Epilepsy Centrotemporal Spikes (Benign Rolandic Epilepsy)
Dravet Syndrome
Epilepsy Eyelid Myoclonia Jeavons Syndrome
Epilepsy of Infancy with Migrating Focal Seizures
Epilepsy Myoclonic Absences
Developmental/Epileptic Encephalopathy with Spike Wave Activation In Sleep
Fires Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome
Infantile Spasms (West Syndrome)
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS)
Myoclonic Epilepsy in Infancy
Panayiotopoulos Syndrome
Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsies
Reflex Epilepsies
Self Limited Familial and Non-Familial Neonatal Infantile Seizures
Self Limited Late Onset Occipital Epilepsy Gastaut Syndrome
Facts & Statistics About Epilepsy
Español
Cambiemos Nuestra Historia
Crisis Epilépticas En Los Niños
Factores Que Pueden Provocar Crisis Epilépticas
La Epilepsia En Las Mujeres
Mas Información Y Recursos
Primeros Auxilios Para Crisis Epilépticas
SUDEP
Dia de Acción Contra SUDEP
Seguridad General
Trabajando Con Su Equipo Médico
Tratamientos
Causes of Epilepsy
Structural Causes of Epilepsy
Focal Cortical Dysplasia
Hypothalamic Hamartoma
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
Incontinentia Pigmenti
Mesial Temporal Sclerosis (MTS)
Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Seizures And Multiple Sclerosis
Sturge Weber Syndrome Encephalotrigeminal Angiomatosis
Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy
Periventricular Nodular Heterotopias (PVNH)
Polymicrogyria (PMG)
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)
Brain Tumors
Genetic Causes of Epilepsy
Genetic Testing for Epilepsy
Angelman Syndrome
PCDH19 Epilepsy
Ring Chromosome 20 Syndrome
CACNA1A-related Epilepsy
CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder
GRIN2A-related Epilepsy
KCNQ2
SCN1A-Related Epilepsies
SCN8A-Related Epilepsy
SYNGAP1-Related Epilepsy
TBCK-related ID Syndrome
Metabolic Causes of Epilepsy
Mitochondrial Disorders
GLUT1 Deficiency Syndrome (SLC2A1)
Autoimmune Epilepsy
Rasmussen's Syndrome
Infections That Cause Seizures
Diagnosis
Evaluation of Your Medical History
Neurological Exam
Electroencephalography (EEG)
EEG Procedure
Ambulatory EEG
Dry Electrode Headset EEG
How to Read an EEG
Video EEG Test
What if my EEG was normal?
Where is EEG performed?
Which EEG type is best?
Brain Imaging for Epilepsy
Computer Tomography
MEG
MRI
PET Scan
SPECT
Imitators of Epilepsy
Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures (PNES)
Assembling Your Healthcare Team
Treatment
Your Role in Epilepsy Treatment
Seizure Medicines
North American AED Pregnancy Registry
When to Treat Seizures With Medicine
Choosing a First Epilepsy Medicine
Seizure Medications With Children
Finding the Best Dosage of Medication
How Seizure Medicine Works
How Long Until Seizure Medicine Works?
Blood Testing for Seizure Medicine
Common Concerns with Epilepsy Medication
Importance of Medication Schedule
Side Effects of Seizure Medicine
Drug Interactions
Stopping Seizure Medications
How to Read a Package Insert
Drug Resistant Epilepsy
Treating Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
What if Epilepsy Medicine Doesn't Work?
Seizure Devices
Deep Brain Stimulation
Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS)
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy
External Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation
Dietary Therapies
Ketogenic Diet
Low Glycemic Index Treatment
Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) Diet
Modified Atkins Diet
Epilepsy Centers
Epilepsy Surgery
Epilepsy Surgery Tests
Brain Mapping
Wada Test
Who Can Epilepsy Surgery Help?
Goals and Expectations
Risks and Benefits of Epilepsy Surgery
Types of Epilepsy Surgery
LITT Thermal Ablation
Preparing for Epilepsy Surgery
Recovering After Epilepsy Surgery
Epilepsy Surgery for Children
When to Wean Children Off Medications After Surgery
Seizure Rescue Therapies
Nasal Rescue Medicines
Oral Rescue Medicines
Rectal Rescue Medicines
Alternative Therapies
Herbal Therapies
Medical Marijuana
Clinical Trials
Complications & Risks
Mood and Behavior
Seizure Medications and Mood
Cognitive Therapies
Depression
Diagnosing Depression
Managing Depression
Suicide Risk
Epilepsy and ADHD
Epilepsy and OCD
Stress
Causes and Signs of Stress
Managing Stress
Mindfullness and Epilepsy
Psychosis
Interictal Problems
Agression
Anxiety
Early Death & SUDEP
How does SUDEP occur?
How to Prevent SUDEP
Support for Bereaved
Role of Seizure Alerts
SUDEP Action Day
Talking to Your Doctor About SUDEP
Seizure Emergencies
Seizure Clusters
Status Epilepticus
New-Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (NORSE)
Sleep and Epilepsy
Sleep and Seizure Medication
Epilepsy Sleep Hygiene
Sleep and Drowsiness and Memory
Sleep Disorders
Social Concerns
Thinking and Memory
Diagnosing And Treating Memory Problems
Techniques to Help with Memory
Types of Memory Problems
Bone Health
COVID-19 and Epilepsy
COVID-19 and Seizures
COVID-19 Vaccination & Epilepsy
Living With Epilepsy
Main Menu
Tracking & Managing Seizures
Managing Triggers
How to Indentify Seizure Triggers
The ABC Approach to Seizure Triggers
Lifestyle Modifications
Diet & Exercise to Reduce Seizures
Tracking Seizures
Seizure Observation
Using Seizure Diaries
Responding to Seizure Emergencies
Working With Your Healthcare Team
The Importance of Quality Care
Setting Goals for Seizure Management
Managing Continued Seizures
Self-Management of Seizures
Managing Epilepsy Well Network
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP)
Seizure Preparedness
Schools and Seizure Preparedness
Seizure Action Plans
Seizure Drills
Staying Safe
Safety at Work
Falling Safely
Disaster Preparedness
Recognizing Risks
Staying Safe With Exercise and Sports
Safety at Home
Safety in the Kitchen
Safety While Sleeping
Types of Injuries From Seizures
First Aid Video Library
Staying Safe on Social Media
First Aid & Safety
Seizure First Aid Training and Certification
Babysitter's Guide to First Aid
How to Manage Prolonged Seizures
Childcare Professionals and Babysitters' Guide to Seizure Disorders
Adapting First Aid Plans
First Aid for Atonic and Tonic Seizures
First Aid for Focal Aware (simple partial) Seizures
First Aid for Focal Impaired Awareness (complex partial) Seizures
First Aid for Tonic-Clonic Seizures
First Aid Absence Seizures
First Aid for Seizures in Water
Getting Emergency Help
Seizure Rescue Medications
Help After a Seizure
Seizure Dogs
Rights to Having a Service Animal
Seizure Dogs: Children and Parent Partners
Lifestyle
Diet & Exercise
Fitness and Exercise With Epilepsy
How to Start Exercising With Epilepsy
What If I Have a Seizure While I Exercise?
Basic Epilepsy Exercise Program
Healthy Eating With Epilepsy
Nutrition and Seizure Control
Family Planning
Birth Control
Childbirth
Pregnancy
Preparing for Pregnancy
After the Baby Is Born
Employment Help With Epilepsy
Healthcare Coverage
Changing Jobs with Epilepsy
Disclosing Epilepsy to an Employer
Employer Accomodations For Epilepsy
Medical Exam
Safety Sensitive Jobs for Epilepsy
Air Traffic Controller and Epilepsy
Commercial Truck Driver and Epilepsy
FBI Agent and Epilepsy
Medical Personnel and Epilepsy
Military Service and Epilepsy
Pilots and Epilepsy
Border Patrol Agent
Firefighter
Mail Carrier and Epilepsy
Legal Help
About the Jeanne Carpenter Fund
Epilepsy and Legal Rights
Resources for Attorneys
Epilepsy Attorney Network
Child Care/Camps/Rec. Programs Briefs | Epilepsy Foundation
Criminal Justice Briefs
Discrimination in Federally Funded Programs Briefs
Driving Briefs for Attorneys
Education Briefs
Employment Briefs
First Responders and Seizure Management Briefs
Institutionalization Briefs
Insurance Briefs
Physician Liability Briefs
Social Security Benefits Briefs
Financial Planning
Financial Planning for a Child
Travel Planning
Managing Medications while Traveling
Travel Tips for VNS and Other Treatments
Traveling Tips
Preparing for Seizures
Summer Camp
Choosing a Summer Camp
Staying Safe at Camp With Epilepsy
Water Safety
Camp Participation
Resources and Seizure Action Plans for Summer Camp
Driving & Transportation
Driving Laws
Parents & Caregivers
Kids
Diagnosing Seizures in Children
Signs/Symptoms
Managing Your Child’s Epilepsy
Causes of Epilepsy in Childhood
School and Child Care
Treatment Options
Talking to Kids about Epilepsy
Newborns & Infants
Diagnosis of Seizures in Newborns
Teens
Driving
Drugs and Alcohol
Employment
Parent & Peer Relationships
Work & College
Choosing a College
Scholarships
Attending a College
Explaining Epilepsy to Friends and Family
Specific Populations
Women
Men
Older Adults
African Americans
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Hispanic
LGBTQ+
About Us
Main Menu
About the Foundation
Mission & Values
Leadership
Bernice Martin Lee, CEO
Medical Editors
Adriana Bermeo-Ovalle, MD
Amy Z. Crepeau, MD
Andres M. Kanner, MD
Angel Hernandez, MD
Annapurna Poduri, MD, MPH
Anup Patel, MD
Barry Gidal, PharmD
Beth Rosen Sheidley, MS, CGC
Charuta Joshi, MBBS
Christianne N. Heck, MD, MMM
David Taplinger, MD
Elaine Kiriakopoulos, MD
Elaine Wirrell, MD
Hamada Hamid Altalib, DO, MPH
Jacqueline French, MD
Jay Salpekar, MD
Jeffrey W. Britton, MD
John Hixson, MD
Joseph I. Sirven, MD
Katherine C. Nickels, MD
Financial Information & Reports
Media
Our Shop
Programs
SUDEP Program
SUDEP Program Advocacy Efforts
SUDEP Challenge Initiative
SUDEP Surveillance Efforts
Other SUDEP Research Efforts
Epilepsy Foundation Individual and Family Services
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Epilepsy Foundation Training & Education
Seizure First Aid Training and Certification
Law Enforcement Training
Seizure Training for School Nurses
Seizure Training for School Personnel
Research & Funding
About Research and Funding at Epilepsy Foundation
Research Grants
The Epilepsy Learning Healthcare System (ELHS)
ELHS Abstracts & Publications
ELHS Data Coordinating Center (DCC)
Research Roundtable For Epilepsy
Accelerator Course
Shark Tank Competition
Epilepsy Foundation Pipeline Conference
Antiepileptic Drug Trials XVI Conference
Next Generation Scientists
Access the Rare Epilepsy Network Registry
NeuroImpact Fund
Get Involved
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Find Your Local Epilepsy Foundation
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Purple Pumpkin Project
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Change Our Epilepsy Story
National Epilepsy Awareness Month
Start a Conversation
Epilepsy Awareness Around the World
International Epilepsy Day
#AimForZero: Striving Toward a Future Free from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy
Share My Seizure
Talk About It!
Twenty-20s Epilepsy Awareness Group
Become an Epilepsy Awareness Ambassador
SUDEP Education & Awareness
Advocacy
Advocacy Priorities
Advocacy: CDC Epilepsy Funding
Advocacy: Seizure Safe Schools
Advocacy: Access Prescription Medications
Advocacy: Affordable Comprehensive Health Coverage
Advocacy: Medical Cannabis CBD
Become an Epilepsy Advocate
Become an Epilepsy Advocacy Champion
Teens Speak Up! & Public Policy Institute
Epilepsy Policy Advisory Committee
Epilepsy Foundation Position Statements
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