I. Did you know that more than 2.7 million Americans of all ages are living with epilepsy and every year, 181,000 Americans will develop seizures and epilepsy for the first time (Trileptal 2006)? It is also estimated that one in ten people will experience a seizure at some time in their life (Mayo Clinic 1995).

II. As one can see, Epilepsy affects a lot of people, and there is a need to be informed.

A.    What is Epilepsy?

1.     Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain that is caused by temporary disturbances in the electrical activity of the brain’s nerve cells.

a.      This then causes seizures to occur.

2.     To be diagnosed with Epilepsy though, one must have two or more seizures occur.

B.    What are seizures?

1.     A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that usually affects how a person feels or acts for a short time (Epilepsy 2006).

2.     When most people think of seizures they think of convulsions, but there are many other physical characteristics that can be seen when someone is having a seizure, some of these can include:

a.      Chewing movements

b.     Eyes rolling up

c.      Inability to move

d.     Shaking

e.      Teeth Clenching/grinding

f.      Tongue biting

g.     Breathing difficulty

h.     Weakness

3.     Although seizures may look frightening, they are not painful (Goodman, M. 2004).