Is having a seizure the same as having epilepsy?

Not necessarily. In general, seizures do not indicate epilepsy if they only occur as a result of a temporary medical condition such as a high fever, low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or immediately following a brain concussion. Among people who experience a seizure under such circumstances, without a history of seizures at other times, there is usually no need for ongoing treatment for epilepsy, only a need to treat the underlying medical condition.

What is the burden of epilepsy in the United States?

CDC estimates that about 2.0 million people in the United States have epilepsy and nearly 140,000 Americans develop the condition each year. New cases of epilepsy are most common among children and older adults.

The total indirect and direct cost of epilepsy in the United States is estimated to be $15.5 billion. This estimate is based on a reported cost of $12.5 billion in 1995 converted to 2004 dollar value using Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

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