Focus – Epilepsy

Epilepsy FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers on epilepsy.

Question: What is epilepsy?
Answer: Epilepsy is a controllable neurological condition caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain which results in temporary seizures that lead to an alteration or complete loss of consciousness. Normal brain function cannot return until the electrical bursts subside.

The word “epilepsy” comes from the Greek word for “seizure”. It is not a disease! Epilepsy is actually an umbrella term covering about twenty different types of seizure disorders.

Question: What are seizures?
Answer: In someone with epilepsy, the normal electrical functions of the brain are interrupted by intermittent bursts of electrical energy that are much more intense than usual. This is called a seizure. Seizures may include muscle spasms, mental confusion, a loss of consciousness and/or uncontrolled or aimless body movements.
There are two main types of seizures:

  • Generalised seizures that begin with a discharge of neurons throughout the brain. They include “grand mal”, which is a loss of consciousness, stiffening of the body and jerking of the limbs, and “petit mal” with blank spells, staring and slight twitching
  • Partial seizures that begin with a discharge of neurons in just one part of the brain. They include simple partial seizures (uncontrolled body movements, brief changes in sensory perceptions), complex partial seizures (confusion, loss of awareness, aimless movements) and infantile spasms (babies have sudden, jerking seizures).

There are also many less common types of seizures. Seizures may be frequent or rare, they may last a second or several minutes and they may be severe or mild. Any one person can have more than one type of seizure, and the pattern of seizures may change over time.

Question: How long does a seizure last?
Answer: The time differs between the types of seizure but a seizure can last from a few seconds to several minutes. Rarely, seizures can last many hours. In most cases, seizures are short and little first aid is required.

Question: Can a seizure be life-threatening?
Answer: Yes, but only rarely. When a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, medical attention is needed because brain injury and death may occur. Children with epilepsy should not be left alone as they may injure or harm themselves while having a seizure.

Question: What causes epilepsy?
Answer: In most cases the cause is unknown. However, there is a link between recurring seizures and the following:

  • Head trauma as a result of motor car accidents, falls and blows, gunshot wounds or sports accidents
  • Infections such as meningitis, viral encephalitis and sometimes mumps, measles and diphtheria
  • Stroke and brain tumours
  • Poisoning caused by lead or alcohol
  • Injury, infection or illness that affected the developing brain of the foetus during pregnancy
  • Lack of oxygen during birth
  • Genetic conditions such as tuberous sclerosis, but heredity usually is not a direct factor in epilepsy.

Question: Can anyone have epilepsy?
Answer: Each person has a brain seizure threshold which makes him or her more or less resistant to seizures, but virtually everyone can have a seizure when the causes listed above are present.

Question: At what age does epilepsy start?
Answer: Epilepsy can start at any age but it primarily affects children and young adults. About 47% of cases develop before the age of nine, 30% between die age of 10 and 19, 13% between 20 and 29, 6% between 30 and 39 and 4% after the age of 40.

It is likely that people who develop seizures during their earlier years will see a reduction in the intensity and frequency of their seizures as they grow older. Often epilepsy will disappear completely.

Question: How is epilepsy diagnosed?
Answer: The doctor will:

  • Take a medical history, asking for a detailed description of the seizures, as well as family and personal health histories
  • Do a physical examination and have laboratory tests done to determine if the seizures are caused by a specific physical or metabolic problem
  • Do a neurological examination which includes an examination of the nervous system. An EEG (electroencephalogram), CT or MRI scans may be used.

Question: How is epilepsy treated?
Answer: Most seizure disorders can be controlled partly or completely by:

  • Anti-convulsive medication
  • Surgery
  • Diet
  • VNS therapy (an implanted device programmed to stimulate the vagus nerve).

Question: How can I help someone who is having a seizure?
Answer: It’s a good idea for those with epilepsy to wear a medical bracelet. If a seizure occurs, the bracelet will tell others what is happening so they can respond appropriately. Should you come across someone having a seizure:

  • Don’t try to restrain or revive the person. If the person is seated, help ease him/her to the floor and put something under the head
  • Don’t move the person to a different area unless the location is clearly dangerous, for example a busy street
  • Turn the person over on the left side which is a better position for easier breathing and improved circulation
  • Turn his or her head slightly downward so saliva won’t go into the lungs
  • Remove hazardous objects that could cause injury
  • Loosen tight clothing and remove glasses
  • Never try to force something into the person’s mouth!
  • It is not necessary to call an ambulance unless the seizure lasts more than five minutes, is immediately followed by another one, or if the person is injured, ill or pregnant
  • When the seizure ends, usually within three minutes, let the person rest or sleep. Be calm and reassuring because the person may feel disoriented or embarrassed.

Question: How can we help create awareness about epilepsy?
Answer:

  • Get to know the facts on epilepsy
  • Explain the facts to co-workers, family and friends
  • Support efforts in your workplace and community to create awareness, promote legislation and design policies to give people with epilepsy a fair and equal chance in life
  • Don’t discriminate against someone living with epilepsy or any other condition.

Sources

Epicentre, http://137.172.248.46
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org
http://www.intercom.net

2021-04-12T07:35:03+00:00
Read More

Epilepsy myths and truths

South Africa with its rainbow nation is a melting pot of many cultural groups. While most South Africans celebrate the strength in diversity some cultures in our communities are shockingly uninformed and believe many untrue myths about a common condition called epilepsy.

Epilepsy: common but misunderstood

Epilepsy is an ancient condition that has been and still is grossly misunderstood. Unfortunately, many of these myths (untruths) and misconceptions have been handed down from generation to generation in certain cultures and communities.

One of the most damaging perceptions about epilepsy is that it is a shameful condition that you should hide from others and never discuss openly.

Fortunately, many celebrities with epilepsy, such as actors Danny Glover of Lethal Weapon fame and Hugo Weaving best known for his roles in The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, did the opposite. Singer-songwriter Neil Young and Susan Boyle the UK lady with the golden voice as well as our very own Jonty Rhodes, renowned as one of the best fielders in cricketing history, joined them. Together they and many others, by speaking openly about their condition, did much to break down false beliefs and to encourage those living with this condition to lift their heads and live full, happy and productive lives.

Epilepsy myths

Here are some examples of these very wrong and false ideas (myths) about epilepsy that are still doing the rounds:

    • Having a seizure (convulsion) means you have epilepsy
    • During a seizure a person falls, shakes and loses consciousness
    • It’s easy to tell when a seizure is about to happen
    • A person could swallow or choke on his or her tongue during a seizure and you should therefore force something between their teeth
    • Seizures don’t hurt
    • Epilepsy is most common in children
    • Having epilepsy means you are a less worthy partner in a future marriage
    • Females with epilepsy should not become pregnant and will not be able to deliver a healthy baby
    • Epilepsy is contagious
    • Having epilepsy means you are mentally ill and emotionally unstable
    • Having epilepsy means you can’t hold down a job, especially a high-pressure, demanding job
    • Having epilepsy means you are not as smart as other people
    • Epilepsy is caused by lack of religious faith
    • Epilepsy can’t be controlled effectively
    • You can’t live a full, normal life with epilepsy.

Myths debunked

The truth is:

    • Having a seizure does not necessarily mean a person has epilepsy. A seizure can be provoked by many other conditions such as binge drinking, a very high fever, sleep deprivation, as a reaction to new medicines or injuries to the head… Having two or more unexpected and unprovoked seizures that occur more than 24 hours apart may indicate epilepsy but can only be confirmed after a thorough medical evaluation by a qualified doctor.
    • Seizures come in many shapes and sizes depending on the person who is having them and the type of epilepsy he or she has. In some, people do fall down, lose consciousness and shake while others experience symptoms so mild that they may not even be noticed by bystanders. Some people remain conscious or semi-conscious while others lose total consciousness.
    • It is not easy to tell when a seizure will occur but some people do experience a brief sensation called an “aura” seconds before the seizure starts
    • It’s nearly impossible to swallow one’s tongue during a seizure and forcing something between a person’s teeth will only do more harm. Do not try to restrain the person but rather turn them onto their side and remove any furniture or objects close to them that may injure them.
    • Most seizures don’t hurt but the person may be injured and hurt when falling down.
    • Many people develop the disorder in childhood but later outgrow it, while others develop it later in life.
    • Epilepsy does not make you a less worthy partner in a future marriage despite what people believe.
    • Women with epilepsy can safely become pregnant and are able to deliver healthy babies. However, anti-epileptic drugs do carry a 2 to 10% risk of possible birth defects. The risk can be minimised by working closely with a neurologist and obstetrician.
    • Epilepsy is not contagious and can’t be passed on to children. However, some family members may develop the same condition.
    • Epilepsy has got nothing to do with mental or psychiatric disorders. It is a functional, physical, bioelectrical (nerve cells sending off excessive electrical signals) problem, not a mental one.
    • Having epilepsy, like many other disabilities and disorders, may make it a little bit more difficult to hold down a job, especially a high-pressure, demanding job but it is far from impossible, and many epileptics are doing so.
    • Although a person’s concentration and alertness may be slightly affected during and after a seizure, it is a passing effect. Epilepsy can’t make you less smart or intelligent and has little to no effect on a person’s ability to think.
    • Epilepsy has nothing to do with negative spirits or religious effects. It has a perfectly rational physical explanation although the cause is still unknown.
    • Epilepsy can be controlled effectively with medication and sometimes surgery.
    • You can live a full, normal, mostly seizure-free life − despite epilepsy!

 

Sources
Achievers with epilepsy. Retrieved from: http://www.epilepsy.org.za/epsa/achievers.php
Swallowing your tongue and other epilepsy myths. 2014. Retrieved from: http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/06/swallowing-your-tongue-and-other-epilepsy-myths/
Ten cultural myths about epilepsy. Retrieved from: http://seizureli.com/pdf/EpilepsyBrochure.pdf

 

 

 

2021-04-12T07:24:20+00:00
Read More

Pregnancy and epilepsy

More than 90% of women with epilepsy will have normal, healthy infants. However, they are at greater risk for complications of pregnancy, labour and adverse pregnancy outcomes than women without epilepsy.

Before you get pregnant

Before you try to conceive, schedule an appointment with the health care provider who’ll be handling your pregnancy. Also meet with other members of your health care team, such as your family doctor or neurologist. They’ll evaluate how well you’re managing your epilepsy and consider any treatment changes you may need to make before pregnancy begins.

It’s important to make healthy lifestyle choices. For example:

    • Eat a healthy diet
    • Take prenatal vitamins
    • Include physical activity in your daily routine
    • Keep stress under control
    • Get enough sleep
    • Avoid smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs
    • Limit the amount of caffeine in your diet.

To minimise the risks to you and your baby, you need to do everything possible to maximise the chances of a normal pregnancy and delivery. Prenatal care is most important in helping you achieve this goal.

Pre-pregnancy and follow-up appointments with your neurologist will help to monitor your medication as your pregnancy progresses.

What you can do to help reduce the risks to your baby

The best thing you can do for your baby is to take good care of yourself.

Reduce stress

While you are pregnant, try to reduce the stress in your life. Get plenty of rest and sleep, and engage in moderate exercise such as walking every day. If your stress level remains high, it may be helpful to ask your doctor or nurse about relaxation techniques.

Take prescribed medication

Always remember to take your medication as prescribed, and be sure to report seizures to your doctor so measures can be taken to reduce them. Usually uncontrolled seizures pose a greater risk to your baby than does any medication.

You should also take prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid. It is recommended that all women of childbearing age take at least 0.4 mg of folic acid per day because it may play a part in reducing the risk of birth defects. To get the maximum benefits of folic acid, you should begin taking it before you become pregnant, and then continue it throughout your pregnancy. Keep in mind that much of your baby’s development will take place during its first six weeks in the womb.

What to do if you have a seizure when you’re pregnant

Seizures can be dangerous, but many mothers who have seizures during pregnancy deliver healthy babies. Report the seizure promptly to your health care provider. He or she may adjust your medication to help prevent other seizures. If you have a seizure in the last few months of your pregnancy, your health care provider may monitor your baby at the hospital or clinic.

Labour and delivery

Most pregnant women who have epilepsy deliver their babies without complications. Women who have epilepsy may use the same methods of pain relief during labour and delivery as others. If you have a seizure during labor, it may be stopped with intravenous medication. If the seizure is prolonged or your labour doesn’t progress normally, your health care provider may deliver the baby by C-section.

Breast-feeding

Breast-feeding is encouraged for most women who have epilepsy, even those who take seizure medication. Discuss any adjustments you’ll need to make with your health care provider ahead of time. Sometimes a change in medication is recommended.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EWP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about epilepsy.

2021-03-24T14:32:48+00:00
Read More

Epilepsy in young children

A seizure that ends normally after a minute or two is usually not hazardous to a child who has epilepsy. However, risks increase when the seizure happens near water, at heights, near traffic, or in any setting in which sudden loss of awareness could be dangerous.

Parents naturally want to protect a child who has this extra level of risk. However, excessive concern about risk may isolate children with epilepsy from others and reduce social interaction. The following information may help you strike a balance:

Water safety

Water can be a hazard to children with seizures, whether it is in a swimming pool, at the beach, or in the bathtub.

    • Supervise young children closely during bath time.
    • Have older children take showers, not baths.
    • Set water temperature low so a child won’t be scalded if consciousness is lost while hot water is running.
    • Hang bathroom doors so they open outwards, and remove locks.
    • Make sure shower and bath drains run quickly and are unobstructed.

Swimming and water sports

A child with epilepsy (or any young child) should never swim alone, or be on a boat or close to water (including backyard wading pools) without a flotation device or life jacket.

    • Carefully supervise children near water.
    • If you can’t be there, make sure an adult knows your child has epilepsy and can help if he or she has a seizure in the water.
    • Tell lifeguards or swimming instructors at local pools or beaches that your child has seizures.
    • If a child has a seizure in water, the child should be checked by a lifeguard or parent. If there is any possibility that water has been swallowed or breathed into the lungs, get a medical check-up.

Other sports

Unless your child’s doctor recommends otherwise, sports activities and other exercise are as beneficial to a child with epilepsy as they are to any other child.

    • Coaches and other officials should be aware that the child has seizures, and how the parents want them to be managed.
    • Safety measures such as harnesses, shock absorbing mats and adult supervision reduce risk.
    • Wearing safety helmets when riding a bicycle, or for sports where head injury is possible, reduces risk.

Seizures and school

Having seizures at school can be socially damaging to a child and frightening to others. However, it doesn’t have to be. A well-informed, confident teacher and a supportive school nurse (if available) and school administration can make all the difference in the world.

Take time to meet with your child’s teacher before the beginning of each school year to discuss how epilepsy affects your child, what type of seizures he or she has, and how you would like the teacher to handle the seizures when they occur.

Medication at school

If your child has to take medication during the day, check with the school about what arrangements should be made. Most school systems will arrange for the school nurse or a teacher to administer medication.

Aiding achievement

While many children with epilepsy test within the same range of intelligence as other children, their achievement at school may be lower.

There may be several reasons for this, including side-effects from the medication, days spent out of school for tests or doctor visits, and anxiety about having seizures at school. Memory or attention may also be affected.

After a seizure a child may be unable to remember anything that happened the previous day or immediately afterwards. Testing for learning disabilities may reveal specific difficulties related to where the seizures are occurring in the child’s brain.

Family issues

It may be helpful to talk with your other children about epilepsy, and encourage them to ask you questions about it. Siblings may blame themselves or feel abandoned and lonely.

Setting aside some special time for the other children in the family, and making time to answer their questions fully, should help.

Discipline

Ignoring behaviour you don’t like (so long as no one is likely to get hurt by it) and rewarding good behaviour is as likely to work for children with epilepsy (as with other children). However, parents often worry that discipline, or emotional upset will cause a child to have a seizure. They may be tempted to give in to unreasonable demands from the child because of this natural concern. If this is something that happens in your family, find out how you can exert discipline in a way that is safe and reasonable.

Informing relatives

Informed, understanding relatives are a wonderful source of strength when a child has epilepsy. But some may have misguided beliefs about this condition. They may think it is somehow linked to mental illness (it isn’t), or someone’s fault (wrong), or is related to mental retardation (usually not), or is even a sign of spiritual possession (an old myth that unfortunately still lingers). Helping other family members understand the true nature of epilepsy as a medical condition affecting brain function will set these fears at rest.

Your commitment to helping your child live as normally and actively as his or her condition permits, and to treat your child as much as possible like any other child, will guide their response as well.

General do’s and don’ts

    • Keep follow-up appointments with the health professionals. Some medications require periodic blood tests that are important to your child’s health.
    • Don’t change your child’s dose or discontinue seizure medicine without checking with the doctor. Find out what you should do if your child misses a dose of medication.
    • Ask your doctor how to handle fever associated with childhood illness. In some children, fever triggers seizures.
    • When children are small, the parents are the ones who make sure the medications are taken on time. As children get older, they may take on more of this responsibility themselves. One way of making sure that they don’t forget is to count out (or teach the child to count out) each day’s doses and store them in a special container.

 

Sources

Children with epilepsy. Retrieved from https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/children/children-with-epilepsy
Epilepsy in children. Retrieved from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/epilepsy-in-children
Safety advice for people with epilepsy. Retrieved from https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/safety

 

(Revised by M van Deventer)

 

 

 

2021-04-12T07:23:30+00:00
Read More

Epilepsy in children

Epilepsy can affect anyone, at any age, but most commonly develops in young children. The good news is that seizures can be controlled by medication and many children eventually outgrow them.

Despite popular misconceptions, the future for some children with epilepsy is becoming brighter every year!

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy in children, as in adults, is characterised by recurrent seizures that are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. The term epilepsy is used to cover a variety of seizure types. These differ in cause, nature, severity, management and long-term outcome. Epilepsy can affect anyone, at any age, but most commonly develops before the age of 20. However, many children with epilepsy will outgrow it. Here follow excerpts on epilepsy in children from the Website of Epilepsy South Africa.

Accurate diagnosis

It is essential to identify accurately the individual child’s type of epilepsy in order to provide the most appropriate help and advice. Diagnosing epilepsy can be difficult, but it is essential that:

    • Non-epileptic attacks are not misdiagnosed as epilepsy
    • Seizures are not misdiagnosed as non-epileptic
    • The precise type of seizure is identified.

Mistakes can happen if the episodes and the circumstances in which they occur are not described exactly. A precise account of the exact sequence of events from the first changes in the child to complete recovery and the circumstances in which the seizure occurs should be obtained. Accurate descriptions also help classify the child’s type of seizure which will determine whether special investigations such as CT scanning are needed as well as the best choice of treatment. The likelihood that the attacks will improve or stop in the future can often be assessed if the precise type of seizure is established.

The possible causes of epilepsy are many and should be carefully considered by a doctor. Often the cause cannot be determined even when a careful assessment has been carried out. This may be difficult for parents to accept but it is important that a search for the cause is not pursued indefinitely and that the parents do not feel themselves somehow responsible in such circumstances.

Treatment

Treatment is advisable if seizures are recurrent and troublesome. The following are the major options available:

    • Medication. Control of the seizures with medication can be good in most cases without causing harmful side-effects. Whenever possible one drug should be used in as few doses each day as necessary to ensure adequate blood levels by day and by night. Sometimes more than one drug has to be used. Drugs should never be stopped suddenly.
    • Psychological intervention. Some children’s seizures are made worse by such things as stress, emotional upset and boredom. In these cases it is important to identify the problem and deal with it, which may require help from a counsellor in addition to the medication being continued.
    • Surgery. Only a small number of children with epilepsy will be suitable for surgery but improved investigations and new surgical techniques mean that surgery can now be very successful for some children.

Learning and education

It is still a popular misconception that epilepsy is usually accompanied by low intelligence. In fact, it is only in a minority of children, where seizures are the result of brain damage or malformation, that this is true. Such children may need special placement where both their medical and educational needs can be met.

The majority of children with epilepsy attend mainstream schools where many of them do well. In fact, epilepsy is compatible with the full range of intelligence and achievements. However, there is evidence that some children with epilepsy may underachieve at school. If underachievement is suspected, careful psychometric assessment is required. If a genuine degree of underachievement has been demonstrated convincingly in a child, various factors need to be considered:

    • Physical possibilities. These include frequent seizures, underlying structural damage, sleep disorders causing inadequate or poor quality sleep and the side-effects of anti-epileptic medication.
    • Various psychological and social factors. These include poor motivation, under-stimulation, over protection and family/friends/teacher attitudes. It is difficult to say generally what factors are the most important, but the third group is often to the forefront, perhaps combined with other influences. The attitude of the teacher towards the child with epilepsy plays an important part in the child’s progress. Close communication with the parents will ensure that the teacher will be aware of the child’s epilepsy and will be able to deal with a seizure occurring in the classroom. Teachers must not be afraid to push children with epilepsy to their limits just like any other children.

Behaviour

In the same way that limited intelligence is by no means an inevitable accompaniment of epilepsy, serious psychological disturbance is uncommon. Children with epilepsy rarely have seizures that take the form of aggressive outbursts or other kinds of unpredictable behaviour.

If a child with epilepsy lacks confidence or is difficult, there is likely to be a simple explanation such as over permissiveness or restricted opportunities at home or at school, or perhaps fearful or hostile behaviour by other people, including other children. Teasing and social isolation are often sources of much distress. The same is true of unnecessary restrictions on childhood activities.

Some anti-epileptic drugs can cause difficult or disturbed behaviour. Should any marked behaviour change occur, the parents should discuss this with the doctor.

The child and the family

Each child’s epilepsy and any problems experienced will be unique so the following generalisations may or may not apply. Realistically, as a family you will probably have some difficult times. A usual reaction to a diagnosis of epilepsy is to feel frightened, possibly even panic stricken. You will be worried about the future, education, social life, effects of medication and many other things. You are no different from other parents; your concerns are natural. However, it is important that your family develops a positive attitude to epilepsy and to your child’s future and that each member supports the others.

Communication between parents and all the children is important: discuss your worries, share your knowledge of epilepsy and try to find out more. Time spent sharing this information will probably bring the family even closer together.

Correct information about your child’s epilepsy and a positive attitude can help you avoid some of the classic problems some families develop.

These simple guidelines should help:

    • DO emphasise what your child can do, not what he or she cannot do (while at the same time taking sensible precautions)
    • DO treat the child like all other children in the family
    • DO help your child integrate into as many social activities as possible, helping to develop the required social skills like all other children
    • DON’T overprotect the child
    • DON’T make the child the centre of attention
    • DON’T blame the child’s epilepsy if the family experiences difficulties.

Outlook for the future

The prospect of control by means of anti-epileptic drugs is good in most children with epilepsy. In some forms of epilepsy the long-term prospects (prognosis) for seizure control are very favourable and it is likely that the seizures will eventually improve with age or stop completely of their own accord. The chance of this happening is even higher in some types of epilepsy. It is important that these epilepsies with a good prognosis are recognised early and appropriate reassurance is given by the doctor.

If a child has been seizure free for two years, it is often appropriate for treatment to be gradually withdrawn by the doctor to see if it is still needed. In most cases there will be no recurrence.

Remember that epilepsy is not anyone’s fault. It can happen to anybody at anytime. Try to accept the situation in a positive way and keep in mind that most children will have all their seizures controlled by medication and will grow out of them. As our understanding of epilepsy improves and the treatment progresses the future for all children with epilepsy will look brighter.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EWP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about childhood epilepsy.

Revised by M van Os

 

 

 

2021-04-12T07:33:52+00:00
Read More

FAQs about epilepsy

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers on epilepsy.

Question: What is epilepsy?
Answer: Epilepsy is a controllable neurological condition caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain which results in temporary seizures that lead to an alteration or complete loss of consciousness. Normal brain function cannot return until the electrical bursts subside.

The word “epilepsy” comes from the Greek word for “seizure”. It is not a disease! Epilepsy is actually an umbrella term covering about twenty different types of seizure disorders.

Question: What are seizures?
Answer: In someone with epilepsy, the normal electrical functions of the brain are interrupted by intermittent bursts of electrical energy that are much more intense than usual. This is called a seizure. Seizures may include muscle spasms, mental confusion, a loss of consciousness and/or uncontrolled or aimless body movements.
There are two main types of seizures:

    • Generalised seizures that begin with a discharge of neurons throughout the brain. They include “grand mal”, which is a loss of consciousness, stiffening of the body and jerking of the limbs, and “petit mal” with blank spells, staring and slight twitching
    • Partial seizures that begin with a discharge of neurons in just one part of the brain. They include simple partial seizures (uncontrolled body movements, brief changes in sensory perceptions), complex partial seizures (confusion, loss of awareness, aimless movements) and infantile spasms (babies have sudden, jerking seizures).

There are also many less common types of seizures. Seizures may be frequent or rare, they may last a second or several minutes and they may be severe or mild. Any one person can have more than one type of seizure, and the pattern of seizures may change over time.

Question: How long does a seizure last?
Answer: The time differs between the types of seizure but a seizure can last from a few seconds to several minutes. Rarely, seizures can last many hours. In most cases, seizures are short and little first aid is required.

Question: Can a seizure be life-threatening?
Answer: Yes, but only rarely. When a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, medical attention is needed because brain injury and death may occur. Children with epilepsy should not be left alone as they may injure or harm themselves while having a seizure.

Question: What causes epilepsy?
Answer: In most cases the cause is unknown. However, there is a link between recurring seizures and the following:

    • Head trauma as a result of motor car accidents, falls and blows, gunshot wounds or sports accidents
    • Infections such as meningitis, viral encephalitis and sometimes mumps, measles and diphtheria
    • Stroke and brain tumours
    • Poisoning caused by lead or alcohol
    • Injury, infection or illness that affected the developing brain of the foetus during pregnancy
    • Lack of oxygen during birth
    • Genetic conditions such as tuberous sclerosis, but heredity usually is not a direct factor in epilepsy.

Question: Can anyone have epilepsy?
Answer: Each person has a brain seizure threshold which makes him or her more or less resistant to seizures, but virtually everyone can have a seizure when the causes listed above are present.

Question: At what age does epilepsy start?
Answer: Epilepsy can start at any age but it primarily affects children and young adults. About 47% of cases develop before the age of nine, 30% between die age of 10 and 19, 13% between 20 and 29, 6% between 30 and 39 and 4% after the age of 40.

It is likely that people who develop seizures during their earlier years will see a reduction in the intensity and frequency of their seizures as they grow older. Often epilepsy will disappear completely.

Question: How is epilepsy diagnosed?
Answer: The doctor will:

    • Take a medical history, asking for a detailed description of the seizures, as well as family and personal health histories
    • Do a physical examination and have laboratory tests done to determine if the seizures are caused by a specific physical or metabolic problem
    • Do a neurological examination which includes an examination of the nervous system. An EEG (electroencephalogram), CT or MRI scans may be used.

Question: How is epilepsy treated?
Answer: Most seizure disorders can be controlled partly or completely by:

    • Anti-convulsive medication
    • Surgery
    • Diet
    • VNS therapy (an implanted device programmed to stimulate the vagus nerve).

Question: How can I help someone who is having a seizure?
Answer: It’s a good idea for those with epilepsy to wear a medical bracelet. If a seizure occurs, the bracelet will tell others what is happening so they can respond appropriately. Should you come across someone having a seizure:

    • Don’t try to restrain or revive the person. If the person is seated, help ease him/her to the floor and put something under the head
    • Don’t move the person to a different area unless the location is clearly dangerous, for example a busy street
    • Turn the person over on the left side which is a better position for easier breathing and improved circulation
    • Turn his or her head slightly downward so saliva won’t go into the lungs
    • Remove hazardous objects that could cause injury
    • Loosen tight clothing and remove glasses
    • Never try to force something into the person’s mouth!
    • It is not necessary to call an ambulance unless the seizure lasts more than five minutes, is immediately followed by another one, or if the person is injured, ill or pregnant
    • When the seizure ends, usually within three minutes, let the person rest or sleep. Be calm and reassuring because the person may feel disoriented or embarrassed.

Question: How can we help create awareness about epilepsy?
Answer:

    • Get to know the facts on epilepsy
    • Explain the facts to co-workers, family and friends
    • Support efforts in your workplace and community to create awareness, promote legislation and design policies to give people with epilepsy a fair and equal chance in life
    • Don’t discriminate against someone living with epilepsy or any other condition.

 

Sources

 

Epicentre, http://137.172.248.46
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org
http://www.intercom.net

 

 

 

2021-04-09T12:41:18+00:00
Read More

What to do during an epileptic seizure

Help dispel the myths surrounding epilepsy. Take the first step by knowing what to do when someone is having a seizure.

Do…

    • Remain calm and note the time
    • Clear a space around the person, prevent others from crowding around
    • Loosen tight clothing/neckwear. Remove spectacles
    • Cushion the head to prevent injury
    • Put person into shock recovery position (i.e. roll person into his/her side, top leg bent, bottom arm slightly extended)
    • Wipe away excess saliva to facilitate breathing
    • Reassure and assist until person has recovered or become re-orientated
    • Allow the person to rest/sleep is necessary – cover with a blanket
    • Note the duration of the seizure and the time it took place. Provide this information to the person who had the seizure after the person has recovered fully, in order for him / her to record the information in his/her seizure diary.

Do not…

    • Restrict or restrain the person’s movements
    • Move the person unless the person might hurt him/herself or is in immediate danger (i.e. in a busy road)
    • Put anything between the person’s teeth or in the person’s mouth
    • Give anything to eat or drink during the seizure
    • Give extra anti-convulsants, unless stipulated to do so by the neurologists
    • Call a doctor or an ambulance unless the person has injured him/herself badly or the seizure lasts longer than six minutes, or the person has repeated seizures without recovering.

 

 

2021-03-12T13:42:11+00:00
Read More

Epilepsy – update your knowledge

Epilepsy is a common illness that produces repeated seizures. It isn’t a form of mental disease or retardation. It normally does not have an impact on how well someone thinks or learns. But myths, misconceptions and misunderstandings still surround epilepsy.

Definition

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterised by recurring seizures, which are caused by electrical disturbances in the nerve cells in a section of the brain. A seizure can be described as being due to a burst of electrical energy in a certain part or parts of the brain that temporarily disturbs normal brain function and may disrupt consciousness and the actions and movements of muscles.

The most accurate records available indicate that chronic, recurrent epilepsy occurs in about 10 per 1,000 people, or in 1% of the general population, affecting males and females in equal numbers.

Causes of epilepsy

The causes of epilepsy are often unknown. A direct cause can only be identified in less than 50% of cases. There may be a family link and researchers are focusing on chromosome 6 as a possible cause.

Occasionally, other problems such as a head injury, birth trauma, brain tumour, low blood sugar, central nervous system infection, serious infections of the brain or stroke cause epilepsy.

A seizure may be brought on by certain triggers or stimulants such as flickering lights or excitement. Therefore, people living with epilepsy need to be aware of possible triggers and to avoid them when possible.

Symptoms of epilepsy

The major symptom of epilepsy is recurrent seizures that happen without warning. Without treatment, seizures might continue, occur more often and even get worse over time. Seizures could result in problems with muscle coordination, movement, speech, sight or awareness.

Seizures generally do not last long, but they can be frightening. The frequency and type of seizure differ from person to person. A person may suffer from only one or multiple types of seizure. There are more than 30 types of seizure.

Depending on the specific type of seizure:

    • A person’s senses may not function properly, for instance, he or she may experience strange odours or sounds that don’t exist
    • He or she can lose control of the muscles
    • A person could fall down, and his or her arms and legs might twitch or jerk
    • He or she may faint.

It is important to note that not everyone who experiences seizures suffers from epilepsy. Seizures may occur due to an illness, injury or additional problem. In these instances, the seizures discontinue when the problem improves or disappears. Having one or two seizures does not mean that a person has epilepsy.

Diagnosis of epilepsy

Correct diagnosis is critical for the treatment of seizures, but diagnosing epilepsy can be difficult. If you believe that you or someone close to you has experienced a seizure, your doctor will first attempt to find out if the incident was indeed a seizure or something else with similar signs and symptoms. A muscle tic or a migraine headache could look or feel similar to a type of seizure.

The doctor will ask many questions when taking your clinical history. He or she may wish to know what took place just before, during and immediately after the seizure. Someone who witnessed the seizure can also help describing what happened.

An electroencephalogram (EEG) may be taken to help detect the patterns of increased brain activity. Other tests may include computerised axial tomography (CAT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging, single photon emission, computerised tomography and positron emission tomography.

Treatment strategies

Epilepsy cannot be prevented but treatment is available. Most people with epilepsy live normal, productive lives, but epilepsy can be a difficult condition to manage. Treatment includes the correct diagnosis, evaluation and medication, and dealing with psychosocial issues that may arise from the condition.

The treatment consists mainly of anticonvulsant medication, of which a number of products are available. The medication dampens the nerves’ conductivity and areas in the brain that are hyper excitable.

Brain surgery to remove damaged areas in the brain and to alleviate seizures has been proven effective in many cases.

Research has also indicated the role that nutrition plays in the treatment of epilepsy. A ketogenic diet, which is high in fat, adequate in protein and low in carbohydrates, is primarily used to treat difficult-to-control epilepsy in children. People whose epilepsy cannot be control by anticonvulsants (approximately 30%) may follow the ketogenic diet.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is also used as a treatment for epilepsy. VNS uses an implanted stimulator that sends electric impulses to the left vagus nerve in the neck via a lead wire implanted under the skin. Once successfully implanted, the generator sends electric impulses to the vagus nerve (the tenth cranial nerve) at regular intervals. Research is continuing to understand the exact working of this device.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EWP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about epilepsy.

2021-04-12T07:36:57+00:00
Read More

Make friends with epilepsy

Since the dawn of time, epilepsy has affected millions of people from beggars to kings. It’s one of the oldest conditions of the human race with a rich and distinguished history.

Epilepsy is what you have, not what you are. Epilepsy is part of your life; it’s not your whole life. You can probably live, work and function in the world just as well as anyone else. However, living with epilepsy isn’t without some bumps. Accept the limitations it may impose on you from time to time and live life to the fullest.

Help yourself

Safety is important. If you remember some basic, common sense rules, you will minimise the likelihood of injury should you have a seizure.

    • Fires and stoves. Never get too close to an open fire. Keep guards around fireplaces and primus and gas stoves
    • Bathrooms. Keep doors unlocked. Take a shower rather than a bath. If you don’t have a shower, keep your bath water shallow and turn off the taps before getting in. Avoid bathing while alone at home.
    • Sleep. As some people have seizures during their sleep, try sleeping without a pillow.
    • Sports. If you take adequate precautions, you should be able to participate in any sport. Wear a helmet when biking or horse riding and don’t go swimming, mountain climbing and sailing on your own. Make sure that whoever is with you is aware of your condition and knows what to do if you should have a seizure.
    • Identity discs. Always wear an identity disc (available from Medic Alert at 0861112979)
    • Educate yourself, your family and friends about epilepsy.
    • Find a doctor in whom you have confidence and follow his or her advice.
    • Be open with others and try to ignore any negative reactions.
    • Don’t let the fear of having a seizure keep you at home.
    • Remember that with the right approach, qualifications and skills, epilepsy need not be a major barrier to employment.
    • Consider buying a dog that is trained to retrieve a phone prior to your having a seizure, summon help in a controlled environment and stay with you during a seizure. A dog is also a faithful and fun companion. To find out more about seizure response dogs go to http://www.epilepsy.com/get-help/staying-safe/seizure-dogs and www.sadogtraining.co.za.

Help from others

Help is available through:

    • Your doctor
    • Clinic
    • Epilepsy South Africa. Call 0860 374537 or go to http://www.epilepsy.org.za/contact/index.php.

 

Sources
www.epilepsy.org.za
www.epilepsyfoundation.org

 

Revised by M Collins

 

 

 

2021-04-01T05:58:53+00:00
Read More

The information and content provided by LifeAssist on this website and/ or articles is for general informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal or clinical or health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Therefore, consult an expert for professional advice.

Copyright LifeAssist | All Rights Reserved | Design by Fireworks Creative
Go to Top