Do you have to declare epilepsy to insurance?
As part of your insurance terms and conditions, you must notify your insurance provider if you stop driving due to a seizure. If you don’t notify them, your insurance may be invalidated, and future insurance may be affected.
Does your insurance go up if you have epilepsy?
It is prohibited for insurers to raise the cost of an insurance if a handicap or medical condition does not directly affect the likelihood of a claim, according to the Equality Act 2010. You must notify your insurer, and you may be required to give medical information or have your condition questioned. You may also be asked to provide a copy of your driver’s license or a letter from the DVLA confirming your eligibility to drive.
If you’ve been issued a license, insurance firms can’t refuse you coverage or raise your premiums without providing you with a reason. You can contact the Financial Ombudsman if you’re having trouble finding insurance.
Is epilepsy a disability?
Epilepsy makes you medically eligible for disability benefits. Epilepsy is one of the conditions listed in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book, which means you may be eligible for disability benefits if you meet the requirements listed in the Blue Book for epilepsy.
Does epilepsy affect memory?
Unfortunately, even if you properly encode a piece of data, you cannot guarantee that you will recall it. It’s possible that epilepsy will make it difficult to remember things.
People with epilepsy are more likely to forget things than others, according to research. It may appear that information “goes in one ear and out the other” in some instances. The inability to store or consolidate new information is thought to be the cause of this rapid forgetting rate. This storage issue is finally traced back to a flaw in the “hardware” required for normal memory operation. It’s no coincidence that this level of memory processing is difficult; epilepsy affects several of the brain regions involved in memory processing directly.
Are all seizures related to epilepsy?
Seizures are a symptom of epilepsy, which are abnormal movements or behavior caused by aberrant electrical activity in the brain. However, not everyone who appears to have seizures has epilepsy, a group of disorders marked by a proclivity for recurrent seizures.
Non-epileptic seizures (also known as pseudoseizures) are caused by psychological issues or stress and are not accompanied by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Non-epileptic seizures, on the other hand, resemble real seizures, making diagnosis more challenging. Normal EEG readings and a lack of reaction to epileptic medications are two indicators that these aren’t actual epileptic seizures. Psychotherapy and psychiatric drugs may be used to treat certain types of seizures.
Single seizures that develop as a result of trauma, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), low blood sodium, high fever, or alcohol or drug addiction are known as provoked seizures. Fever-related (or febrile) seizures can occur in children, but they usually fade away by the age of six. Patients who have a single seizure may not require therapy after a thorough assessment to determine the risk of recurrence.
Seizure disorder is a broad phrase that refers to any condition that includes seizures as a symptom. The term “seizure disorder” is frequently used in place of the term “epilepsy.”
Does epilepsy worsen with age?
- Adults over the age of 60 are at a higher risk of epileptic seizures and the difficulties that come with them.
- Epilepsy is often inherited from one’s parents. If you have a family member who has suffered from epilepsy-related complications, you may be at a higher risk.
- Infections, particularly brain infections, can raise your risk of having more seizures.
- Pre-existing neurological conditions: Infections, brain damage, tumors, and autism can all raise the likelihood of developing epilepsy.
- Heart disease, stroke, and other vascular disorders can have a negative impact on your brain. As a result, additional seizures and consequent brain damage may occur. Adopting heart-healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as frequent exercise and a low-fat/low-sodium diet, can help reduce this risk factor.
One of the most important factors affecting your epilepsy prognosis is treatment. When taken on a regular basis, antiseizure medicine can help moderate brain activity that causes epileptic seizures. As a result, risk factors and consequences associated with epilepsy are reduced. Anti-seizure drugs are eventually stopped by some patients. If you’ve been seizure-free for at least two years, this is more likely to happen.
Epilepsy can strike anyone at any time. The most prevalent life stages are early childhood and later adulthood. People who have epilepsy as children have a better prognosis; there’s a chance they’ll outgrow it as they get older. Having epilepsy before the age of 12 enhances the likelihood of a favorable result.
Is epilepsy a death sentence?
The majority of people with epilepsy lead active and healthy lives. You should be aware, however, that epilepsy can result in death.
- Accidents, suicide, or the underlying cause of epilepsy, such as brain tumors or infections, can all claim the lives of people with epilepsy.
- New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE), which is defined as refractory status epilepticus without an identifiable explanation after initial examinations, is another rare cause of epilepsy-related death.
- However, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, often known as SUDEP, is thought to be the primary cause of epilepsy-related death.
The major causes of death in epilepsy will be discussed in this section. While this material may appear frightening, it is not intended to be so. We’re dedicated to educating people about epilepsy’s seriousness and what they can do to avoid complications and death.
Epilepsy-related death can happen unexpectedly and without warning. In other cases, people may be able to take steps to prevent or mitigate conditions and hazards.
After reading this information, print it out and discuss it with your family and medical team. Learn how this may or may not apply to you, as well as what you can do to live a full and healthy life.