SUDEP
14/01/12
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)
Most of the time, people with epilepsy recover perfectly well after a seizure. A very small number of people die due to an injury that has happened because of a seizure. In some cases, there’s no clear reason why a person with epilepsy has died. If a person with epilepsy dies unexpectedly, and no obvious cause of death can be found, it is called sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Sometimes, it is called sudden unexplained death in epilepsy.
How often SUDEP happens
In the UK, about 602,000 people have epilepsy. It’s estimated that SUDEP causes about 500 deaths each year. Some people with epilepsy have a higher risk of SUDEP than other people with epilepsy.
The causes of SUDEP
SUDEP has been shown to be connected with seizures, but the exact cause is not known. Research suggests that seizure activity in the brain may sometimes cause changes in the person’s heartbeat or breathing. Very occasionally this may cause the person to stop breathing and not start again.
Risk factors of SUDEP
There is no way of predicting who will be affected by SUDEP. But the single most important risk factor is uncontrolled generalised tonic-clonic seizures. This is a type of seizure which causes the person to lose consciousness. Their body goes stiff and then starts jerking.
Each person with epilepsy has their own level of risk of SUDEP. It can occur in people who have seizures very often or very infrequently. However, the risk is thought to be higher, the more seizures you have. The risk of SUDEP in people who are seizure-free is very, very low.
Here are some factors which may increase a person’s risk of SUDEP.
Having generalised tonic-clonic seizures
Not taking anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) as prescribed
Having seizures that are not controlled by AEDs
Having sudden and frequent changes to AEDs
Being a young adult (in particular male)
Having sleep seizures
Having seizures when alone
Drinking large amounts of alcohol
Information from Epilepsy Action http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/
Most of the time, people with epilepsy recover perfectly well after a seizure. A very small number of people die due to an injury that has happened because of a seizure. In some cases, there’s no clear reason why a person with epilepsy has died. If a person with epilepsy dies unexpectedly, and no obvious cause of death can be found, it is called sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Sometimes, it is called sudden unexplained death in epilepsy.
How often SUDEP happens
In the UK, about 602,000 people have epilepsy. It’s estimated that SUDEP causes about 500 deaths each year. Some people with epilepsy have a higher risk of SUDEP than other people with epilepsy.
The causes of SUDEP
SUDEP has been shown to be connected with seizures, but the exact cause is not known. Research suggests that seizure activity in the brain may sometimes cause changes in the person’s heartbeat or breathing. Very occasionally this may cause the person to stop breathing and not start again.
Risk factors of SUDEP
There is no way of predicting who will be affected by SUDEP. But the single most important risk factor is uncontrolled generalised tonic-clonic seizures. This is a type of seizure which causes the person to lose consciousness. Their body goes stiff and then starts jerking.
Each person with epilepsy has their own level of risk of SUDEP. It can occur in people who have seizures very often or very infrequently. However, the risk is thought to be higher, the more seizures you have. The risk of SUDEP in people who are seizure-free is very, very low.
Here are some factors which may increase a person’s risk of SUDEP.
Having generalised tonic-clonic seizures
Not taking anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) as prescribed
Having seizures that are not controlled by AEDs
Having sudden and frequent changes to AEDs
Being a young adult (in particular male)
Having sleep seizures
Having seizures when alone
Drinking large amounts of alcohol
Information from Epilepsy Action http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/