There are more than 20 different seizure disorders. Recent international reclassification of symptoms, along with improved brain wave monitoring technology, new and efficient methods to precisely measure blood drug levels, non-invasive brain imaging and brain function measurement technologies, now permit the more specific diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. Convulsive seizures are easily recognized. But there are other less apparent forms of epilepsy marked by non-convulsive seizure types. These seizures affect awareness, produce brief loss of muscle control and may involve sensory distortions.
Early diagnosis is crucial.
Many of those who are employed have been forced to accept positions far below their ability and educational achievement. For many people, having epilepsy has been less of a problem than overcoming negative attitudes about their intellectual and physical abilities. Changes in the law, especially provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, offer new hope in this area. The National Center for Health Statistics reports 422,000 cases of epilepsy in children 18 years of age and under, based on the 1988 National Health Interview Survey. Mortality Epilepsy carries an increased risk of death from a variety of causes.