Epilepsy and how it affects women Research in Allied Health Lisa Banks

Epilepsy A neurological disorder that affects 1% or more of the population A neurological disorder that affects 1% or more of the population Characterized by seizures; affects the central nervous system where two or more seizures a greater than 24 hours apart, not provoked by another cause Characterized by seizures; affects the central nervous system where two or more seizures a greater than 24 hours apart, not provoked by another cause Seizures are an abnormal release of cortical neurons lasting seconds to minutes Seizures are an abnormal release of cortical neurons lasting seconds to minutes

Epilepsy Diagnosed with EEGs, CT, and MRI scans Diagnosed with EEGs, CT, and MRI scans Affects both men and women, but impacts women during their childbearing years Affects both men and women, but impacts women during their childbearing years Women are more prone to experiencing seizures because of physiological factors such as hormone levels Women are more prone to experiencing seizures because of physiological factors such as hormone levels

Epilepsy Estrogen acts as a seizure activator Estrogen acts as a seizure activator Estrogen increases during pregnancy, therefore increasing the risk of seizures, the risk can increase up to 50% Estrogen increases during pregnancy, therefore increasing the risk of seizures, the risk can increase up to 50% Estrogen levels are higher pre-menstrual Estrogen levels are higher pre-menstrual

Epilepsy Epilepsy and medications can cause infertility and birth defects Epilepsy and medications can cause infertility and birth defects 90% of women still have healthy babies with proper treatment and prenatal care 90% of women still have healthy babies with proper treatment and prenatal care