Epilepsy in seniors: Get the facts about this common condition

When an elderly person becomes confused, forgetful or dizzy, most loved ones want to assume that the momentary pause is a natural part of aging. But these episodes may be caused by a disease that is more commonly associated with younger adults: epilepsy.

As epilepsy is diagnosed in more seniors, there is a growing understanding of how this disease affects the elderly. Below, Dr. Alka Kapoor, co-medical director of the Senior Care Center at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center, explains why epilepsy is a common problem for aging adults and why diagnosis and treatment are so important.

How comon is epilepsy in the elderly?

It’s very common. There are anywhere between 80 to 123 cases for every 100,000 people. To give you some context, Alzheimer’s disease affects about 102 individuals for every 100,000 people. So, the numbers we’re talking about are fairly high.

Why would somebody start to get epilepsy as they get older?

This phenomenon is a side effect of many things that we’re more likely to get as we age. For example, stroke is one of the biggest causes of seizures in older adults. Twelve percent of patients with dementia of any type will have seizures, and dementia is very common in older adults. Also, tumors and trauma can cause seizures.

What are the symptoms that indicate a seizure? How is epilepsy diagnosed?

Symptoms include repeated episodes of loss of consciousness, dizziness, or language or behavioral changes. To make a diagnosis, a doctor first gets the history of the patient. Then, testing typically consists of an electroencephalogram (EEG) or an MRI.

Are there any added concerns when treating the elderly?

Older patients can take anywhere from seven to 13 medications at one time, and many drugs interact with seizure medications. When choosing a drug to treat epilepsy, a doctor must be sure the drug won’t interact or cause more adverse effects.