A new study finds that although 76% of caregivers have heard of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, only 65% of epilepsy patients are familiar with it.
It is assumed that most – though not all – cases of SUDEP take place either during or immediately after a seizure.
One cause of SUDEP could be apnea – pauses in breathing that people with epilepsy may experience during a seizure. Pauses that last too long may reduce the oxygen in the blood, which could endanger life.
Equally, during a convulsive seizure, a person’s airway may become obstructed, which can lead to suffocation.
Seizures can also affect heart rhythm, which could bring on a heart attack. Alternatively, SUDEP could be caused by a combination of breathing difficulty and abnormal hearth rhythm.
The Epilepsy Network is a worldwide community of people with epilepsy, family and friends, uniting to talk about their experiences, learn information about epilepsy, ask questions and so much more! Don’t let epilepsy defeat you, let it inspire you!
