Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder, affecting more than 50 million people worldwide. It is the medical term for a seizure disorder that touches every age group, culture, and community.

 

In the United States, nearly 1 in 26 people—about 4% of the population—will develop epilepsy in their lifetime. Unfortunately, public misunderstandings of the condition often create additional challenges for those living with it.

 

Children and older adults are most often affected, and the disparities in care are significant. In Africa, for example, 90% of people with epilepsy have no access to treatment.

 

Epilepsy does not discriminate. Throughout history and across cultures, people from all walks of life—including Fyodor Dostoevsky, Prince, Neil Young, and Danny Glover—have lived with and fought epilepsy.

 

Treatment & Hope

While there is no universal cure yet, there are more treatment options available today than ever before. About half of patients respond to their first prescribed medication, while others may benefit from alternative approaches such as:

• Dietary therapies, including the Ketogenic diet

• Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

• Medicinal cannabis

• Laser ablation

• Invasive surgical procedure

 

Not every individual will find complete relief, but research and innovation continue to move the fight forward. With the right care at the right time, more people each year are finding better control, greater hope, and a brighter future.