The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri and Kansas is to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Epilepsy–also known as a seizure disorder–is a chronic neurological disease characterized by a tendency to have recurrent seizures.
A seizure is a brief, excessive discharge of electrical activity in the brain that alters Movement, Behavior, Sensation or Awareness.
Epilepsy is the 4th most common neurological disease–more common than cerebral palsy, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis combined.
Partial seizures begin in only one part of the brain and awareness may be impaired or remain intact.
Types of partial seizures:
Generalized seizures originate in both sides of the brain and awareness may be impaired.
Types of generalized seizures:
Myths & Facts
Myth: You should put a spoon, wallet or other object in the mouth during a seizure.
Fact: Never put anything in a person’s mouth during a seizure. Doing so can cause injury to the teeth or gums. A person cannot swallow his or her tongue during a seizure.
Myth: Epilepsy is contagious.
Fact: You cannot catch epilepsy from, or give it to, someone else.
Myth: Seizures are completely uncontrollable.
Fact: Through medication, diet or surgery, or a combination of these, people with epilepsy can achieve full or partial control of their seizures in 85% of cases.
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