1 in 26
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Approximately 1 in 26 People in the United States Will Develop Epilepsy at Some Point in their Lifetime Epilepsy is a chronic condition of the brain that affects people all over the world. It is characterized by recurring seizures-- which are physical reactions to sudden, brief, excessive electrical discharges in brain cells. Anyone, anywhere, at any time can have a seizure. The physical reactions of a seizure depend on which part and how much of the brain is impacted by the excessive electrical discharges. Although most people think of a seizure as a full-body convulsion, seizures can also be brief muscle jerks, or unconscious behaviors like picking at clothing or what appears to be a lapse of attention, like daydreaming. The frequency of seizures varies greatly, from once in a while, to several per day. More people live with epilepsy than with autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy – combined. Epilepsy is one of the world's oldest known medical conditions, and yet too many people do not understand it. In too many cases, this misunderstanding has led to fear, discrimination and social stigma. Ending stigma is one of the main reasons we are asking everyone to talk about it! Together, we can reduce the fear and misunderstanding, so the lives of millions of people around the world -- people living with the condition and their loved ones -- will be forever changed for the better. Here are some key numbers (in Tweet-size bites) to talk about it!
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