Epilepsy - related hospitalizations

[RobinN]

Newswise — Epilepsy-related hospitalizations, which fell from 176,000 in 1993 to 95,000 in 2000, climbed to 136,000 in 2005, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The recent 5-year climb represented a 43 percent increase. Epilepsy, a condition characterized by recurrent seizures that may include repetitive muscle jerking called convulsions, affects 1 to 2 percent of the U.S. population.

AHRQ’s analysis also showed:

• Nearly two-thirds of the patients hospitalized with epilepsy between 2000 and 2005 were younger than 45.

• Between 1993 and 2005, convulsion-related hospitalizations increased 69 percent from 730,000 to 1.2 million. Patients 65 and older were more than twice as likely as younger people to be hospitalized with convulsions.

• Although epilepsy can cause convulsions, the vast majority of these convulsion cases were not epilepsy related but were rather caused by fever, stroke, infection, uremia – blood poisoning caused by kidney failure – high or low blood sugar, low blood sodium levels, and substance abuse and withdrawal.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537373/?sc=rsmn


I am confused by this article:

1. 2/3 were under 45
2. 65+ were twice as likely to be admitted
3. Epilepsy can cause convulsions but many of these cases were not epilepsy ... and yet the 2/3 of those under 45 were epilepsy cases.
4. So if most of these cases are caused by other reasons... why are they not testing for these? I mean really testing....

What am I missing?

[brain]

ROBIN:

1) Alcohol
2) Drug Abuse - Prescription
3) Alcohol & Prescription Drug Mix
4) Illegal Usage of Drugs / Psych Herbs

Rank HIGH for people who are in
the Psych-Era (Remember the phrase?
"What's the difference between LSD
and LBJ?" ANS: "One's a Drug and
the other's a Dope!" If you know that;
you're a Psych-Era Child and there's
a very high chance you've experimented
with the top 4 - and they "don't buy
the story that 'I've never done any of
the above....' (I have never done any
of the above myself but no one believes
me, because I'm a Psych-Era Child.)
And of course if you can remember,
"I didn't do it, I just got caught!"
(Nixon) ... You're a Psych-Era Child!
If you know what a Recorder is, and
Your pad or mine? Far out! Totally Rad!
And actually understand what I am
actually saying, You're a Psych-Era
Child!)

AC/DC, Beatles, Carpenters, Beach Boys,
Kiss, Alice Cooper, Mac Davis ...

You're a Psych-Era Child! There's a
99% chance you've done the above!
Fried your brains out! Or rather as
they said back then "Let's take a trip!"
(LSD / Acid / Experimental Psych Herbs)

NO - everyone was NOT a Psych-Era
Child, it's a misconception. Just because
I liked the song HOTEL CALIFORNIA
doesn't mean I'm a Psych Kiddo and
I experimented acid, and took trips,
drank alcohol and did wild things ...
although I did wear bellbottoms and
hip pants, halters, and leathers, and
still have my choke collar, I mean
necklace! *grins*

The band / singers might be tripped out
but it didn't mean I was!

====================

Now regarding to the elderly population
the AD - Alzheimer's and PD - Parkinson's
They can cause convulsions and put them
into a risk category and the need for
neurological care. The imperative is,
the earlier it is caught, the better the
treatment can be started and their lives
prolonged is the main factor and issue.

And you are absolutely correct, in regards
to having nothing to do with Epilepsy.

BUT I must also stress that there are
elderly that have developed Epilepsy in
their later life; and that has to be dealt
with and with much care due to their
fragile health (depending on their age).

----------------------------------

And in regards to your question:

WHY aren't they REALLY TESTING, is
an absolutely exceptional question!

It all depends on what they find in the
individual and if the need merits or
warrants; they would proceed. But
other than that, it is totally up to the
Doctors who are treating the patient.

Remember, some HMO, POS, and other
Health Insurances - limits or regulates
of what can and cannot be performed;
so that itself may be another dilemma
right there within itself.

As for others, some patients are scared
or just refuses to have it performed.

And for the other perspective - I can't
answer it, with the exceptions of the
above known issues.

[Bernard]

The article is poorly written and not clear IMHO.

[brain]

The article is poorly written and not clear IMHO.

I would have to agree with that too
Mr. B ~ but if you look further at the
top ranked 4; but that takes homework
and more sleeve-rolling - you'll find it
all and the connections: I can and could
post all the links and connections which
would pertain to all the facts to that
specific article/journal; but it would
be overwhelming to sit there and read,
read, read: for it will be overwhelming!