Top 3 Common Epilepsy Myths | Purnea Neuro Clinic

Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. It affects approximately 65 million people worldwide and is the fourth most common Neurological Disorder. For some, the condition may be hereditary. Other causes include head injury, stroke, brain tumor or Alzheimer's disease. Epilepsy can affect men and women, and people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds.

We help individuals and families who are living with epilepsy. It is common for our doctors to hear incorrect but highly shared myths about epilepsy disorder.

Myth #1: Flashing Lights Cause Seizures in Everyone with Epilepsy

Myth #2: If Someone Has a Seizure, They Have Epilepsy

While seizures are a characteristic of epilepsy, not everyone who has a seizure necessarily has epilepsy. It is estimated that about 10% of people will experience a seizure in their life. Having a seizure is not a definitive sign that someone has epilepsy. Other causes of seizures include low blood sugar, a recent concussion, a high fever, sleep deprivation, binge drinking, or a new medication.

Myth #3: There Is No Way to Control or Treat Epilepsy

With modern medicine, there are certainly ways to treat and control epilepsy. Studies show that 2 in 3 people with epilepsy can be seizure-free with the right medication. In other cases, an Epilepsy Specialist can evaluate a patient to see if they are a good candidate for surgery to remove the abnormal part of the brain that causes seizures.