What is dravet syndrome?

What is dravet syndrome?

Definition. Dravet syndrome, previously called severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI), is an epilepsy syndrome that begins in infancy or early childhood and can include a spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

What are the different types of seizures?

Types of Generalized-Onset Seizures

• Absence Seizures (“Petit Mal Seizures”)
• Myoclonic seizures.
• Tonic and Atonic Seizures (“Drop Attacks”)
• Tonic, Clonic and Tonic-Clonic (Formerly called Grand Mal) Seizures.

What is temporal lobe epilepsy?

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is epilepsy that starts in the temporal lobe area of your brain. You have two temporal lobes, one on each side of your head behind your temples (by your ears and in alignment with your eyes). TLE is the most common localized (also called “focal”) type of epilepsy.

Can you grow out of Dravet syndrome?

Lifespan. An estimated 10-20 percent of Dravet syndrome patients pass away before reaching adulthood.

Do all seizures cause brain damage?

Most types of seizures do not cause damage to the brain. However, having a prolonged, uncontrolled seizure can cause harm. Because of this, treat any seizure lasting over 5 minutes as a medical emergency.

Are you born with Dravet syndrome?

Is Dravet syndrome an inherited disease? Dravet syndrome can be inherited. It’s an autosomal dominant disorder, which means you only need to get the changed (mutated) gene — the SCN1A gene — from one parent. (Autosomal means the affected gene is on one of the 22 nonsex chromosomes from either parent.)

Can you fight off a seizure?

In cases where the aura is a smell, some people are able to fight off seizures by sniffing a strong odor, such as garlic or roses. When the preliminary signs include depression, irritability, or headache, an extra dose of medication (with a doctor’s approval) may help prevent an attack.

Is having epilepsy a disability?

Is Epilepsy Considered A Disability? Epilepsy is considered a disability and it has a listing in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book. For epilepsy to qualify for disability benefits, it must meet the criteria of the Blue Book listing.

Can you outgrow Dravet syndrome?

However, as treatment methods improve along with the understanding of the disease, some researchers expect that long-term outcomes will improve. While there is no cure for Dravet syndrome, the genetic cause of most cases of the disease is known, which provides hope that researchers may find a way to address this cause.

What is the life expectancy of someone with Dravet syndrome?

The average life expectancy of people with Dravet syndrome is not clear, but estimates suggest that 10–20% of individuals with Dravet syndrome do not survive beyond the age of 10. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the most common cause.