The Fear Sudden Unexpected Death In Epilepsy Is Constantly Present

The fear Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy is constantly present

The artwork symbolically refers to the death in the illness of epilepsy known as Sudden Unexpected Death. The image portrays that it is better to commit suicide than to die through this type of sudden death. The exact mechanisms leading to SUDEP are not fully understood, but several factors are thought to contribute. One of the primary hypotheses involves cardiorespiratory dysfunction during or after a seizure. Seizures, particularly generalised tonic-clonic seizures, can lead to severe autonomic disturbances, including irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and impaired breathing. These disturbances may culminate in respiratory arrest or fatal cardiac arrhythmias, leading to death.

Another contributing factor is postictal suppression, a state of reduced brain activity following a seizure. During this period, the brain's ability to regulate vital functions like breathing and heart rate may be compromised. This suppression can be particularly dangerous if it follows a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, which places significant stress on the body.