Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder
(neurological disorder) in which nerve cell activity in the brain becomes
disrupted, causing seizures or periods of unusual behaviour, sensations and
sometimes loss of consciousness. Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people
with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while
others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs. However, a single seizure doesn’t
mean that an individual have epilepsy. At least two unprovoked seizures are
generally required for an epilepsy diagnosis.
(neurological disorder) in which nerve cell activity in the brain becomes
disrupted, causing seizures or periods of unusual behaviour, sensations and
sometimes loss of consciousness. Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people
with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while
others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs. However, a single seizure doesn’t
mean that an individual have epilepsy. At least two unprovoked seizures are
generally required for an epilepsy diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms of
epilepsy
epilepsy
Because epilepsy is caused
by abnormal activity in brain cells, seizures can affect any process the brain
coordinates. epilepsy signs and symptoms may include:
by abnormal activity in brain cells, seizures can affect any process the brain
coordinates. epilepsy signs and symptoms may include:
·
Temporary
confusion
Temporary
confusion
·
A staring
spell
A staring
spell
·
Uncontrollable
jerking movements of the arms and legs
Uncontrollable
jerking movements of the arms and legs
·
Loss of
consciousness or awareness
Loss of
consciousness or awareness
Causes of epilepsy
Epilepsy has no
identifiable cause in about half of those with the condition. In the other, the
condition may be traced to various factors.
identifiable cause in about half of those with the condition. In the other, the
condition may be traced to various factors.
- Genetic influence: Some types of epilepsy, which are categorized by
the type of seizure the individual experience or the part of the brain
that is affected, run in families. In these cases, it’s likely that
there’s a genetic influence. - Head trauma: Head trauma as a result of a car accident or
other traumatic injury can cause epilepsy. - Brain conditions: Brain conditions that cause damage to the brain,
such as brain tumors or strokes, can cause epilepsy. Stroke is a leading
cause of epilepsy in adults older than age 35. - Infectious diseases: Infectious diseases, such as meningitis, AIDS
and viral encephalitis, can cause epilepsy.
The role of the family in
the control of epilepsy
the control of epilepsy
Family members should
understanding the condition of patients to help them control it. Patients
should be encouraged to:
understanding the condition of patients to help them control it. Patients
should be encouraged to:
·
Take your medication correctly.
Take your medication correctly.
·
Get
enough sleep: Lack of sleep can trigger
seizures, so they should be encouraged to get adequate rest every night.
Get
enough sleep: Lack of sleep can trigger
seizures, so they should be encouraged to get adequate rest every night.
·
Exercise regularly
to keep the patient physically healthy and reduce depression. They should be
urged to drink enough water and rest if they get tired during exercise.
Exercise regularly
to keep the patient physically healthy and reduce depression. They should be
urged to drink enough water and rest if they get tired during exercise.
·
Make healthy
life choices, such as managing stress, limiting alcoholic beverages and
avoiding cigarettes.
Make healthy
life choices, such as managing stress, limiting alcoholic beverages and
avoiding cigarettes.
The role of the community in
controlling epilepsy
controlling epilepsy
To community can be of
great help to the controlling of epilepsy by:
great help to the controlling of epilepsy by:
·
Educating people in the community about epilepsy so that they understand the condition and be of help
to the patient regularly.
Educating people in the community about epilepsy so that they understand the condition and be of help
to the patient regularly.
·
People
should avoid negative reactions to patient with epilepsy and the facts about
the disease as opposed to misconceptions about the disease.
People
should avoid negative reactions to patient with epilepsy and the facts about
the disease as opposed to misconceptions about the disease.
·
Community
members should assist patients with activities that they cannot carry out on
their own due to the nature of the disease. For example driving can be risky
for the patient, so there should be provisions for public transportation for
such patients.
Community
members should assist patients with activities that they cannot carry out on
their own due to the nature of the disease. For example driving can be risky
for the patient, so there should be provisions for public transportation for
such patients.
The role
of government in the control of epilepsy
of government in the control of epilepsy
·
Government should provide support group for people
suffering from epilepsy to educate and assist them regularly. It will also
serve as a means to meet with people who understand what they are going
through.
Government should provide support group for people
suffering from epilepsy to educate and assist them regularly. It will also
serve as a means to meet with people who understand what they are going
through.
·
If your seizures are so severe that a patient
cannot work outside the home, government should create opportunities for them
to work at home and still feel productive and connected to people.
If your seizures are so severe that a patient
cannot work outside the home, government should create opportunities for them
to work at home and still feel productive and connected to people.
·
Government
should educate the general public on how to handle a seizure in case they are
with a patient when seizure occurs.
Government
should educate the general public on how to handle a seizure in case they are
with a patient when seizure occurs.