Are seizures serious? In general, it appears that if the general condition is still good, the life expectancy of patients with epilepsy is comparable to that of the general population. Of course, some patients with epilepsy have seizures that are caused by a definite serious underlying condition, such as a brain tumor or stroke, in which case the patient may die from the primary underlying condition. In general, seizures themselves are rarely fatal. The persistence of a grand mal seizure is a medical emergency. In addition to irreversible damage to multiple organs caused by sustained convulsions, the patient may suffocate by accidental aspiration of vomitus. To prevent asphyxiation, the patient can be placed in the lateral position so that oral secretions or vomit can be completely drained. Sometimes the risk of a seizure is determined by the situation. For example, a seizure can occur if the person is near a pool of water (where he or she can drown), on a high place or train platform, crossing a road with a lot of traffic, or driving by himself or herself. Nevertheless, patients and family members should not be overly concerned, as most patients can lead active and safe lives with the right guidance. How are seizures damaging to the brain? This depends on a variety of factors such as the type, frequency, and duration of the seizure. For example, a single grand mal seizure (tonic-clonic seizure) that lasts less than five minutes does not seem to have much effect on the brain. However, there is evidence that sustained grand mal seizures can damage the brain. The persistence of complex partial seizures can also cause potential damage to brain function. Some patients experience memory loss or other intellectual impairment after a single seizure, which may be a transient effect of brain dysfunction caused by the seizure, or may be caused by the application of medication, or a combination of both. Usually, this does not mean that the brain has been permanently and irreversibly damaged. There may be a cumulative effect of damage to brain function from repeated, frequent grand mal or complex partial seizures, but this effect does not appear to be significant. I have epilepsy, how should I deal with it? You should face epilepsy with a positive attitude and try to be an important member of the epilepsy treatment team. It is important to remember that you are facing our common enemy, epilepsy, together with your doctors, and that good results cannot be achieved by the medical or patient side alone. Acquire as much knowledge about epilepsy as possible through a variety of means, including reading this book. Actively cooperate with your doctor throughout the process of diagnosis, treatment, and long-term follow-up. And gradually learn to interact and communicate effectively with health care professionals in the process. Be aware that some people with epilepsy may require a long-term or even lifelong treatment. In order to effectively control seizures, some important things need to be accomplished with the active cooperation of the patient and family members. For example, it is important to take medication regularly, get enough sleep, keep track of seizures, watch for side effects, and follow up regularly during treatment, all of which cannot be done by a doctor instead. In the clinic, we often encounter the following mistakes: not taking medication when you are not sick, but taking medication for several days when you are sick; taking medication for several months without any attack and then stopping it; changing medication frequently within a short period of time; taking medication for several years without following up once; female patients getting pregnant without consulting the doctor.