This week I am going to share a little about the condition Epilepsy, my nephew Dawson has this condition.
Epilepsy happens as a result of abnormal electrical brain
activity, also known as a seizure, kind of like an electrical storm inside the
head. And because the brain controls so much, a lot of different things can go
wrong. Suffers may have periods of unusual behaviours, feelings and sometimes
loss of awareness.
Epilepsy may occur as a result of a genetic disorder or an
acquired brain injury, such as a trauma or stroke. Other brain related causes
are things like meningitis, encephalitis or a brain abscess. Then there are
brain diseases such as Alzheimer's. It is also believed that alcohol or drug
use as well as high or low blood sugar levels.
In fact, in around half of all cases the cause is unknown. It
may take years after an injury for seizures to develop.
During a seizure, a person experiences abnormal behaviour,
symptoms and sensations, sometimes including loss of consciousness caused by fainting.
It isn’t uncommon to see the suffers having rhythmic muscle contractions or
muscle spasms. Some people say they experience an aura or the sensation of pins
and needles.
Also common: seizures, amnesia, anxiety, depression,
headache, sleepiness, staring spells, or temporary paralysis after a seizure.
After a seizure the person may feel really tired.
Most people have none or only a few symptoms between seizures.
Epilepsy is usually treated by medication and in some cases by
surgery, devices or dietary changes.
You should see a doctor this is your first seizure, or you have
repeated seizures, you have seizures more often than is normal for you, you are
not sure if you’ve had a seizure or if you have a diagnosis of epilepsy but
feel like your medicine is not helping.
You should seek medical attention after a seizure if you are
injured, if you are pregnant or have diabetes.
Next week I will post about the different types of seizures.
Sorry for Dawson - epilepsy must be hard.
ReplyDeleteHe has adjusted and it is well managed
DeleteThere was a girl in my grade school who had her first seizure in class right near me. I saw her have another one in high school gym class in junior high. She must have been on medication because she rarely ever had them. Knew her all the way to graduation. I just remember how scary that has to be for the person it is happening to!
ReplyDeleteYes I expect it would be, thankfully not something I have experienced
DeleteI have heard diet can affect it. I think it was an extremely high fat diet can make it better.
ReplyDeleteI did not know that
DeleteA gentlemen I worked with had seizures but didn't tell us. It was quite the shock when he fell to the ground. Luckily we were able to care for him until it was over. He was exhausted afterwards. Said he forgot to take his medicine. It can be really scary!!
ReplyDeleteYes it can be very scary
DeleteMy uncle had epilepsy. Back in those days, the only way to treat him was to drug him up in order to avoid the seizures. Medicine has come such a long way, and I know that will help Dawson so much. Blessings, Jo-Anne!
ReplyDeleteYes treatment has come a long way and Dawson's condition is well managed
DeleteMy good friend has it too.
ReplyDeleteI hope your friends conditioned is well managed
DeleteThat sounds scary. Sorry to hear about your nephew.
ReplyDelete