Exploring Epilepsy

Exploring Epilepsy: The Facts and Mysteries

By Sasha Manley

Dr. Rani Singh, pediatric neurologist at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital

More than three million people have been diagnosed with epilepsy in the U.S. It is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting the central nervous system.

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that happens when brain activity is disturbed. It can occur because of head injuries or genetics. To have epilepsy means to have two or more seizures at least 24 hours apart that are not provoked.

Fast facts

Many people believe epileptic seizures are triggered by things like low blood sugar, flashing lights or an illness that causes fever, but there are many unknowns about epilepsy. Here are a few: • Anyone can develop this condition. • 1 in 10 people will have epilepsy in their lifetime. • Most seizures last 30 seconds to two minutes. • Not everyone loses consciousness during an epileptic episode. • The number of new cases is rising every year. • Most are diagnosed after two episodes. • It can take years to get a diagnosis.

Types of epileptic seizures

Two of the most common types of seizures are “focal” and “generalized.”

Focal seizures, also known as partial seizures, affect one part of the brain. In contrast, generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain.

Epilepsy in children

There are more than 150,000 new diagnoses every year, and one-third are children who are not as affected as adults. “Epilepsy can affect people in different ways and at different ages from infants to the elderly,” said Dr. Rani Singh, a pediatric neurologist at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital.

Since children’s brains are still developing, they have a higher chance of growing out of the condition. Singh explained, “In kids, often what happens is that children could have childhood epilepsy, which may be temporary or transient, even though [the child] may require medicines to help control the seizures for the time being.”

Unlike epilepsy in adults that can be caused by a stroke or brain injury, there are still questions surrounding what causes it in children. “Out of 10 children, six of them will have an unknown cause,” Singh added.

According to AtriumHealth.com, infantile spasm is a common type of infant seizure that is sometimes overlooked by a baby’s natural movements. Out of 10,000 children, only five will be affected. Therefore, keeping a watchful eye is critical for early intervention and positive development.

Treatment

Although there is no cure for epilepsy, there are ways to help manage it. The four common treatments are anti-epileptic medicine, electronic implant devices, surgery and diet.

Pediatricians recommend that children be given one medication for two years, Singh said. If they have no seizures during that time, they are then evaluated to determine the next steps, she added.

Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, has been used to reduce the occurrence of epileptic triggers in recent years; however, there have been no over-the-counter FDAapproved cannabis treatments to date. Recreational and medical CBD is limited in North Carolina.

First aid

Many seizures come without warning. The unknown can be scary. Here are a few ways you can help: • Make sure the person is in a safe place. • Check for a medical bracelet that will have emergency information. • Do not administer CPR. In many cases, the person will recover after the seizure has passed. • Please do not put anything in their mouth. It can cause mouth injuries. • Time the seizure. • Wait until the person is alert before offering food or drink.

Epilepsy awareness

Since 2003, November has been Epilepsy Awareness Month. A considerable part of epilepsy awareness is identifying seizures among those who are undiagnosed and aiding them with health care.

Those living with epilepsy face many challenges beyond the condition, such as finding work, acceptable school environments, and affordable health care. Bringing these concerns to the forefront can make a difference.

Always consult your physician for medical advice. P

Sources: Dr. Rani Singh, epilepsy.com, mayoclinic. org, atriumhealth.org, CDC.gov and FDA.gov

Building Wealth Through Homeownership

Resources Every Prospective Homebuyer Needs in Their Life

By AJ Barkley, Head of Neighborhood and Community Lending, Bank of America

On paper, wealth is household net worth, or the total value of assets minus debt, but personally, wealth is more far-reaching. It can provide a secure retirement, ensure backup in times of financial distress, or serve as something tangible to pass down to the next generation.

Homeownership continues to be seen as a path to wealth accumulation and family legacy, and Bank of America provides a variety of educational resources and digital tools to help buyers achieve their lifelong dream to own a home. Still, upfront costs of homeownership can be the most challenging barrier, so Bank of America’s $15 billion Community Homeownership Commitment® aims to help low- and moderate-income or multicultural homebuyers on their path to affordable homeownership. The program includes a combination of specially-designed products, resources and expertise as well as two proprietary homebuyer grant programs which can provide eligible buyers with money toward their down payment and closing costs, helping them overcome obstacles on their way to homeownership.

Prospective homebuyers understand the important role homeownership can play in their financial future. According Bank of America’s 2022 Homebuyer Insights Report, top reasons Black/ African American buyers are motivated to purchase homes include: the ability to build equity in a home, and to set down roots for a growing family – 42% and 46% of respondents respectively.

Whatever your timeline to homeownership is the below resources at bankofamerica.com/homeowner can get you on your path:

If you’re just getting started…

• First-Time Homebuyer Online

Edu-Series®: Demystifies home finance as experts provide guidance and tips to prepare finances, make an offer, and apply for a mortgage -- both in English and Spanish. • Better Money Habits®: A financial education platform that empowers people to take control of their finances with advice, tools and guidance on budgeting, saving, managing debt and more. • Home Resource Center: Our new

Home Resource Center is a hub for anyone seeking financial education and guidance in the early stages of buying or redesigning a home. A wide array of resources and advice are at your fingertips to help you reach your homebuying and home improvement goals.

If you’re researching home buying programs…

• Affordability Calculator: Start with our recently updated affordability calculator to determine how much home you can comfortably afford. Completing three simple fields – annual gross household income, monthly debt payments, and property ZIP code – make it more streamlined than ever to evaluate a mortgage payment that fits into your lifestyle. • Bank of America’s Down Payment

Grant: Gives eligible homebuyers in select markets 3% of the home purchase price up to $10,000 (whichever is less) – no repayment necessary. • America’s Home Grant®: Gives eligible buyers a lender credit up to $7,500 to be used for non-recurring closing costs or to buy down their interest rate. And, it can be used with the Down Payment Grant. • Affordable Loan Solution®: Our 3% down payment fixed-rate mortgage has a competitive rate and lower cost mortgage insurance.

If you’re ready to purchase…

• Bank of America Real Estate

Center®: Offers a home search feature that identifies down payment and closing cost grant-eligible properties for sale across the country, as well as lists homes for sale, home values, previous purchase prices and recent home sales based on the latest data. • Digital Mortgage ExperienceTM: Puts homebuyers in the driver’s seat when it comes to selecting a mortgage that fits their personal needs and guides them through the entire process. P

© 2022 Bank of America Corporation.

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