The recent death of 20-year-old Disney Channel star Cameron Boyce, who died in his sleep apparently of an epilepsy seizure, has renewed focus on a small but ever-present threat to individuals with epilepsy: sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, or SUDEP.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by electrical surges in the brain that cause seizures. There are many different types of seizures that people with epilepsy can have, and the symptoms are not always the same. Striking about 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy, SUDEP actually claims more lives annually than sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) but has received far less attention. Still, the odds of SUDEP are slim and there are identified high-risk groups.
Those with less-severe forms of epilepsy, whose seizures may cause them to shake or briefly lose awareness of what is around them, face lower odds of SUDEP. But anyone with epilepsy is at risk and needs to take proactive measures to avoid this situation.
Inova’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Program has accreditation from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) as a Level 4 program (indicating the highest level of epilepsy care). The Inova Epilepsy Center team currently sees approximately 2,500 epilepsy patient visits annually, and the epilepsy program continues to expand. The Inova Epilepsy Center offers in-depth evaluation along with a variety of testing, EEG monitoring in epilepsy monitoring unit, and treatment. Cutting-edge therapies such as epilepsy surgery, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), responsive nerve stimulation (Neuropace) and newer anti-seizure drugs can help to make the difference between controlled and uncontrolled epilepsy — thus lowering the odds of SUDEP.
Unfortunately, epilepsy is not a preventable disease; it kills more people than breast cancer annually. Spreading the awareness of epilepsy, SUDEP is essential for the reduction in morbidity and mortality.
Get Help for Epilepsy
Learn about services and treatments available at the Inova Epilepsy Center. Call 703.845.1500.
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