According to a new study published in the journal Neurology, people who are diagnosed with epilepsy are at an increased risk of early death. The study published on the occasion of Purple Day showed that people with epilepsy had more than twice the risk of death compared to the overall population.

Purple Day is observed on March 26 to raise awareness about epilepsy. In the study, more than 20, 000 epilepsy patients from all walks of life were enrolled. The findings of the study showed that the risk of early death was even higher in younger people in comparison to the elderly population. The researchers explained that the ratio of risk varied among the patients based on where they lived, the number of medications taken by the patient, and the presence of other comorbidities.

Dr. Seo-Young Lee, MD, Ph.D., of Kangwon National University in Chuncheon, South Korea, stated that a group of patients who did not have other health problems and were taking only one medication to control their seizures had the highest risk. Epilepsy accounts for a significant proportion of the worlds population, affecting 50 million people globally. Each year, an estimated 5 million people are diagnosed with epilepsy.Dr. Ravindra Srivastava, Director of Neurosciences at Primus Super Speciality Hospital, stated that more than 10 million patients suffering from epilepsy, or 20% of 50 million patients worldwide, are in India. He advised that if an individual witnesses someone having a seizure, it is essential to stay calm, keep the person safe, protect the patients head, and turn them on their side to help prevent choking. He added that the seizure duration should be timed, the patient should not be restrained during the seizure, and one should stay with the patient until they are fully alert and oriented. 

(Source: https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/health-and-fitness/article/people-with-epilepsy-at-increased-risk-of-early-death-study-23277387 )