What is Epilepsy?
It is a neurological disorder in which the nerve cell activity in your brain is disturbed, causing a seizure during which you experience abnormal behaviour, symptoms and sensations, including loss of consciousness.
What are the risk factors?
- Age. The onset of epilepsy is most common during early childhood and after the age of 60, but the condition can occur at any age.
- Prenatal injury. Before birth babies are sensitive to brain damage that could be caused by infection in the mother, poor nutrition or oxygen deficiencies.
- Brain tumours.
- Brain infections such as meningitis and encephalitis.
- If you have a family history of epilepsy, you may be at an increased risk of developing a seizure disorder.
- Head injuries are responsible for some cases of epilepsy. Reduce your risk by wearing a seatbelt when in a car and a helmet when on a bicycle or motorcycle.
- Stroke and other vascular diseases can lead to brain damage that may trigger epilepsy.
- Dementia can increase the risk of epilepsy in older adults.
- Developmental disorders such as autism and neurofibromatosis may cause epilepsy.
However, the cause of the disease is unknown in up to 70% of cases of epilepsy in both adults and children.
Lifestyle tips for someone with Epilepsy:
- Always carry medical identification. In the event of a seizure, knowledge of the disorder can help the people around you to keep you safe and provide treatment.
- Make sure family, friends and co-workers know what to do if you have a seizure.
- Choose sports and activities wisely. You may want to avoid contact sports. Make sure that you always have a person with you that is aware of your seizures.
- If you take anti-convulsant medicine, do not suddenly stop taking it, or change the dosage without consulting your doctor.
- Be alert of possible drug interactions between your anti-convulsant drugs and other medications you may take.
- Avoid alcohol, it will interfere with the effectiveness of your medication and may lower the brain’s seizure threshold.
- What to do when someone has a seizure:
What to do when someone has a seizure:
- Loosen clothing around the person’s neck.
- Do not try to hold the person down as this could result in injury.
- Reassure concerned bystanders who may be upset and ask them to give the person room.
- Remove sharp objets to prevent injury.
- If the person has trouble breathing, use your finger to gently clear the mouth of any vomit or saliva. If this doesn’t work, call for emergency help.
- After the seizure, it is helpful to lay the person on their side to maintain an open airway and to prevent the inhaling of secretions.
- Don’t offer anything to eat or to drink until the person is fully alert.
The information on Fedhealth Medical Aid is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
Source: www.mayoclinic.org, www.webmd.com, www.epilepsy.com