Epilepsy FAQs and Statistics in Australia You Need To Know
Based on epilepsy statistics in Australia, epilepsy affects over 250,000 individuals in the country, accounting for more than 1% of the population, so most people know somebody who live with it. Even though epilepsy is more prevalent than Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy altogether, it is still largely misunderstood. For example, a lot of people believe seizures are convulsive. However, epilepsy may manifest itself in a variety of ways and impact people differently.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological illness in which electrical activity in the brain is disrupted, resulting in seizures. With medication, up to 70% of people with epilepsy become seizure-free; nevertheless, 30% of persons with epilepsy do not achieve complete control of the disease.
Epilepsy does not have to be a lifetime condition. Some epilepsies are age-related, and seizures often cease at a particular age. Despite the need for lifestyle modifications, people with epilepsy are capable of living long and fulfilling lives. Epilepsy is absolutely not a barrier to success. In fact, many prominent and well-known individuals (e.g. Susan Boyle, Neil Young, Hugo Weaving, Danny Glover, Wally Lewis, Tony Greig) live with it.
Epilepsy Statistics in Australia
To provide you with better figures, below are the recent statistical data of epilepsy in Australia:
As mentioned, around 250,000 people are living with epilepsy in Australia.
Epilepsy is the most prevalent severe brain illness that affects people of all ages worldwide.
Seizures can strike anybody at any age. However, epilepsy is most commonly diagnosed in early infancy, adolescents, and those over 65.
Epilepsy can have serious social, physical, and psychological ramifications.
Epilepsy affects up to 3–3.5 percent of Australians at some stage in their lives.
15% of people who are sent to an epilepsy specialty facility do not have epilepsy and have been misdiagnosed earlier.
Facts about Epilepsy
It is a widespread misconception that epilepsy invariably results in convulsions. In actuality, there are more than 40 kinds of epilepsy and epileptic syndromes, and numerous seizures are not convulsive.
Seizures can range from little gaps in attention, bewilderment, or strange behaviour to falls or convulsions.
Seizures vary in frequency; some people have fewer than one per year, while others have many every day.
Epilepsy is not the only cause of seizures.
Frequently Asked Questions about Epilepsy
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about epilepsy:
Do you have epilepsy from birth, or does it develop over time?
Anyone, at any age, can develop epilepsy. However, children and senior individuals are more prone to seizures and epilepsy.
How does epilepsy affect the elderly?
The most common type of epilepsy in seniors is focal epilepsy, which affects just a tiny region of the brain. They may become uncomfortable or clueless about their environment as a result of seizure activity in their brain, or they may just stop and gaze. At this stage, the symptoms are milder than they are at earlier periods.
Is exercise good for epilepsy?
People with epilepsy can benefit from exercise, which can help them manage their seizures. Seizures are rarely triggered by physical activity. But always take all required safety measures when exercising to avoid possible injuries.
Should a person with epilepsy be left alone?
You may live safely and independently with epilepsy if you take care of your general health and make lifestyle adjustments to reduce your seizure risk.
How Tunstall Healthcare Can Help?
Today, there are a variety of assistive technologies available to help loved ones with epilepsy gain independence. For example, we have home care systems at Tunstall that are linked to environmental and activity sensors, creating a smart home environment. Our home care network is also accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is monitored by our Customer Care Centre.
Read more about how our Home Care works by clicking this link: https://www.tunstallhealthcare.com.au/home-care
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