Can epilepsy eventually go away?

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes a person to experience recurring seizures. Many people have epilepsy that may go away on its own or with treatment. If this occurs they have achieved epilepsy remission.

An epilepsy seizure is a period of uncontrolled, abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures cause a person to experience changes of consciousness, memory, feelings, or behavior.

In many cases epilepsy can go away on its own. When this occurs, a person is in remission, meaning they no longer experience epilepsy seizures.

Yes, epilepsy can go away on its own. Health expert may use the term epilepsy remission to describe a period where there is a significant reduction or absence of seizures.

An older 2014 study included 516 children with epilepsy and followed up with these children after a period of almost 20 years. Over that time, 63% of the children no longer had epilepsy and no longer experienced seizures.

The study found that once a person no longer experienced epilepsy seizures, their chance of relapse was very low. Most relapses occurred within the first 5 years of being epilepsy free. None of the participants in the study who had been epilepsy-free for 10 years or more experienced a relapse.

If a person with epilepsy experiences a prolonged period of time where they have no signs or symptoms of the condition, they will be in epilepsy remission.

Many definitions of epilepsy remission exist and a a person’s individual treatment team will determine what is remission for them based on their specific scenario. For example, some sources note that remission requires the person to be seizure-free for a period of 5 years. Some definitions also require the person to have not used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for a period of 5 years.

Other sources suggest that remission refers to two years or longer without a seizure, wheres other define remission as being free from all types of seizures for at least a year. In some cases, remission may describe individuals who have remained seizure-free for the last 10 years, with no seizure medicine for the last 5 years.

Many people who have epilepsy can live a normal life and carry out the same activities as people who do not have epilepsy.

Approximately one-third of people with epilepsy may develop cognitive or neuropsychiatric symptoms that may negatively impact their quality of life.

The World Health Organization states that with the correct diagnosis and treatment, up to 70% of people living with epilepsy could enter epilepsy remission.

If a person with epilepsy experiences a positive response to AEDs, it can increase their chances of achieving epilepsy remission. A person has a positive response to these medications if the medication causes their seizures to stop occurring.

Monotherapy is the term for a treatment approach that uses just one medication alone. If a person is able to treat their epilepsy seizures well with monotherapy, then they also have a higher chance of achieving epilepsy remission.

In some cases, a brain injury may cause a person to develop epilepsy. Having no history of brain injury and no sign of brain abnormality increases a person’s chance of epilepsy remission.

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that medical professionals use to record the brain’s electrical activity. Medical professionals sometimes use EEG tests to diagnose epilepsy.

A medical professional may also carry out other neurological exams to look at how well a person’s brain and nervous system functions.

If a person has EEG tests and neurological exams that do not produce unusual results, then they may have a higher chance of epilepsy remission.

Studies show that people with a family history of epilepsy have an increased risk of a poor outcome of the condition.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, having no family history of epilepsy may increase a person’s chance of epilepsy remission.

In other cases, a person may have no known cause of the condition.The Epilepsy Foundation states that having an unknown cause of epilepsy may increase a person’s chance of epilepsy remission.

Studies suggest that people who experience a low number of seizures may have an increased chance of epilepsy remission.

A 2023 study looked at the factors associated with epilepsy remission after a person had unsuccessful epilepsy surgery. It concluded that people who had low rates of seizures in the first year after surgery were more likely to achieve epilepsy remission.

A 2017 study looked at the long-term prognosis of people with epilepsy. It concluded that the different types of seizures that people experienced may affect their chances of achieving epilepsy remission.

The study states that people with idiopathic generalized seizures had the highest chance of remission. Approximately 85% of these individuals experienced remission. People with absence seizures also had a good outcome, with around 80% achieving remission. Generalized seizures overall showed a good remission rate of approximately 77%.

In contrast, people with complex partial seizures had a lower chance of remission. Only around 65% of these individuals achieved remission. People who experienced partial seizures in general had the lowest rate, with only around 59% achieving remission.

With proper management, it is possible for people to control their seizures and improve their quality of life.

A person should aim to understand their condition and take any medications their doctor prescribes them. A person can also track their seizures to understand any patterns that may emerge. It is also important to be aware of what triggers seizures, so they can avoid these triggers if possible.

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes repeated seizures. In many cases, it can go away on its own or with treatment. Medical professionals refer to this as epilepsy remission.

Remission often means being seizure-free for five years, sometimes without medication.

Factors that increase remission chances include a good response to medication, no brain injury, normal neurological exams, no family history of epilepsy, fewer seizures, and certain seizure types. People with idiopathic generalized seizures have the best outcomes.

Managing epilepsy includes taking prescribed medication, avoiding triggers, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Most people with epilepsy can live normal lives, especially with proper care and support for both physical and mental health.