Epilepsy

Abstract

Approximately 2 million persons in the United States have epilepsy,1,2 making the prevalence of this disorder similar to that of type 1 diabetes mellitus.3 Each year, 100,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed in the United States.1,4 Both the prevalence and the incidence of epilepsy are dramatically higher among elderly persons than among those who are younger.1 Thus, many primary care physicians care for a substantial number of patients with epilepsy.EvaluationDiagnosis of a Seizure DisorderThe first step in the evaluation of a patient with possible epilepsy is to determine whether the patient does or does . . .