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Epilepsy
The following information is provided by Epilepsy Action.
Epilepsy: Some Facts
• Epilepsy is a neurological condition where a brief disruption in the
brain's chemical messages causes a seizure (the modern term for fit)
• Around 75% of people with epilepsy have their seizures well
controlled by medication.
• There are over 40 types of seizure, ranging from an absence seizure,
where the person an appear to be daydreaming, to a tonic-clonic seizure - the
type we usually associate with epilepsy.
• One in every 130 people has epilepsy - that's over 420,2000 people in
the UK.
• One in 20 people will have a singe seizure at some time in their
life. Epilepsy is usually defined as having recurrent seizures.
• Epilepsy is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act.
• The vast majority of people with epilepsy can take part in the same
activities as anyone else, with the help of simple safety measure.
What is Epilepsy?
Recurrent seizures caused by a temporary change in the way brain cells work.
The brain is like a computer which consists of a vast network of nerve cells called neurons. Billions of electrical messages are fired between these cells, controlling every single thing we think, feel or do.
The body has its own inbuilt balancing mechanisms. These ensure that messages usually travel between nerve cells in an orderly way. However, sometimes - quite without warning - an upset in brain chemistry causes the messages to become scrambled. When this happens the neurons fire off faster than usual and in bursts. It is this disturbed activity that triggers off a seizure.
During a seizure the person may black out or experience a number of unusual sensations or movements. The whole thing usually only lasts a matter of seconds or minutes, after which the brain cells return to normal.
Do's and Don'ts in dealing with someone having a seizure
Do
• Loosen any tight clothing around the neck
• Protect the person from injury (remove sharp or hard objects from the
vicinity; or guide the person away from danger)
• Cushion the person's head if they fall down
• Help breathing by gently placing the person on his or her side if
they have fallen over.
• Be quietly reassuring (stay with them until they come round. Go over
any missed events if they have had an absence).
Don't
• Try to restrain the person having the seizure
• Put anything in the person's mouth or force anything between his/her
teeth
• Try to move them unless they are in danger
• Give anything to drink
Learning and Education
Most children and young
people with epilepsy attend ordinary schools, colleges and universities and
should take part in most activities. Teachers or helpers should know what is
involved in the individual's condition. For example, they need to know that the
person does not have to be sent home every time s/he has a seizure, but can
return to class after a suitable rest period. Some schools have a written
policy on epilepsy - the school nurse will be able to tell you.
Epilepsy and learning
Most children with epilepsy
are just as capable of learning as other children.
Learning difficulty
Some children with epilepsy
do have learning difficulty (the term used to describe a child who finds it
harder to learn than most children of the same age, or who has a disability
which makes it difficult to make use of the school's facilities). In this case
your child will need special help to reach his full potential.
Your child is most likely to experience serious learning difficulty if he has severe, uncontrolled seizures and/or physical, and mental problems as well as epilepsy, in other words 'epilepsy plus'.
All this information has been extracted from three leaflets published by Epilepsy Action: 'Epilepsy and Everyone', 'Epilepsy and Children' and 'Want to know more?
Epilepsy Action offer advice and support and can put you in touch with 150 branches nationwide. They publish a quarterly magazine 'Epilepsy Today' with the latest news concerning epilepsy. They also produce lots of literature, video packages and distance learning packages for professionals.
For more information contact: Epilepsy Action . Web site: www.epilepsy.org.uk
Epilepsy and Speech and
Language
Parents and Children with
Epilepsy (PACE)