What You Should Know About Epilepsy
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What is Epilepsy?
Table of Contents
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If you have Epilepsy...
It is important for you to know that you "have" Epilepsy. It is only a part of who you are. It is not you and it is not your whole life. You are more than that. Do not let this condition take away the beautiful amazing person that you are.
Shine thru it!
Understanding Seizures a bit better
A few common classifications of seizures to know
There are two main Classifications of Seizures in Epilepsy Symptomatic and Cryptogenic. Symptomatic seizures can be linked to identifiable diseases or abnormalities of the brain. Cryptogenic seizures are diagnosed when no cause is found or identifiable.
Someone may also suffer from what is called a Non-Epileptic seizures. Theses types of seizures are not epileptic and have no identifiable cause. They more commonly cause brief changes in the person's behavior but may somewhat look like epileptic seizures. Non-epileptic seizures are not related to abnormal electrical activity in the brain but are considered to be more psychological than of physical origin. They do resemble epileptic seizures in many ways but the difference is in the test results. A non-epileptic will have normal EEG results between seizures and will only occur during wakefulness. Epileptic seizures may occur during sleep or when awake. Also, non-epileptic seizures tend to last much longer than epileptic seizures as well as changing in character over time. Anti-seizure medications do not help, affect or prevent non-epileptic seizures. Treatment for people with non-epileptic seizures is commonly counseling and psychiatric medication.
Do you have Epilepsy?
Do you have a seizure disorder?
Heidi Jo
my name lacey
Books on Epilepsy & Seizures
Seizure Triggers
A few ideas of things that could potentially cause or bring on a seizure
1.) Missed medication for those who have been diagnosed as needing a preventative
2.) Hormonal imbalances (extreme fluctuations in hormones in women during monthly cycles or during pregnancy)
3.) Imbalanced diet
4.) High stress levels
5.) Lack of Sleep- no schedule
6.) Excessive alcohol or drug use or abuse or sudden withdrawals
7.) illnesses or high fevers
8.)flashing lights or strobes (light-sensitivity)
9.) bright lights
10.) video games
11.) pattern-sensitivity (looking at patterns such as circles, squares or stripes in high contrasts)
12.) extreme heat (in cases of soaking in hot water or relaxing in steam rooms)
These are just a few of the triggers that some people who suffer with different types of Epilepsy have. Not everyone who has Epilepsy struggles with all of these listed triggers. In some unique Epileptic cases, seizures can be triggered due to thinking, touching, reading, eating or hearing something.
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Types of Seizures
Learn the many different types of seizures and their unique symptoms
There a so many different types of seizures that it is difficult to simply tell you about only one. Each seizure type is unique in every way from its' name to its' symptoms. Most seizures have been named based on what part of the brain is affected when they occur. Others have been named based on when they appear in the lifetime. Here are a few examples of some very common seizures many epileptics battle with.
1.) Absence seizures- This form of seizure is quite common and frequently goes unnoticed because it has no noticeable aura or abrupt onset. It commonly called petit mal seizures. My father used to call them staring comas because they cause momentary loss of consciousnesses but generally don't last long. Unfortunately, those who have this form of epilepsy go unnoticed when it occurs because they do not look to be in any discomfort, but rather they simply seem to be staring off into space.
2.) Myoclonic seizures- This form of seizure causes a brief but sudden jerk of the muscles in arms and legs. Often it only last for a short period and in most instances it is a very mild jerking that resembles the unconscious jerk that sometimes happens to your legs while lying in bed during sleep. Other times, the jerks and muscle spasms can be forceful enough to throw someone to the floor. These types of seizures can be isolated or in clusters.
3.) Atonic seizures- These types of seizures are also known as drop attacks because during an Atonic seizure, one will lose posture, the head will droop or hang without control or the person may suddenly collapse. Atonic seizures are often abrupt and come without warning, leaving those who have them feeling victimized and as if they have no control of their muscles.
4.) Tonic-Clonic seizures- These types of seizures are the most common type of generalized seizure and have also been called grand mal seizures. It has two phases- the Tonic phase and the Clonic phase. During the Tonic phase, the body and limbs of the person begin to stiffen breathing generally begins to slow or even stop causing the turning blue of nails, lips and face but generally returns during the Clonic phase. Shortly following the Tonic phase the Clonic phase begins. The Clonic phase consists of mild to slightly more severe jerking and twitching of the limbs and face. During this type of seizure, the body may feel overwhelmed and stressed out causing the person to vomit and/or alleviate their bows while unconscious and unaware. This type of seizure typically doesn't last very long, but as a result of the Clonic phase, the person may have minor injuries within the mouth and on the tongue. Also, this type of seizure tends to weaken the muscles, causes lethargy, confusion or fuzziness and headaches.
*Some Epileptics only experience the Tonic seizures, while others only experience the Clonic seizures; while there are also other who experience a Tonic-Clonic-Tonic seizure pattern.
Remember!
If you see someone have a seizure always be reassuring, supportive and remain with them until they have regained consciousness and the seizure has ended. Try to remain calm as you help them recover and remember to try not to judge them for anything they may have done... they have no control of what has happened.
First Aid
What To Do If You See Someone Have A Seizure
- Most Important keep them safe and prevent any possible further injury.
- Remain calm and stay with them until the seizure has ended naturally and they've regained consciousness. Also be sure to reassure anyone else who may be nearby to remain calm.
- Another biggy Don't hold the person down or try to constrict his/her movements. Instead, try to make the place as safe as possible by removing any large objects that could be knocked over onto the person or tables/chairs that he/she could bang their limbs or head on. Lay something soft and flat underneath the head to prevent banging of the head on hard surfaces.
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Gently turn him/her over onto one side. This will open the airways and allow breathing. Do not put anything (including spoons or fingers) in the person's mouth for any reason! Doing so could cause injury. Also be sure to remove any accessories from around the neck that may constrict breathing.
It is not true that a person having a seizure can swallow their tongue
- Important Be sure to time the incident with your watch. This is important because seizures of any kind should not last more than five minutes. If they do or if they occur in a series, doctors will need to care for the individual in order to stop the seizing. So, if someone you know has a seizure lasting longer than five minutes or has a series of seizures, call an ambulance. Please do not attempt to drive someone who is having a seizure to the hospital yourself.
Epilepsy Awareness Gifts
A lil bit about why I wrote this article
I tend to worry about how uncomfortable and scared I will make others feel if I seize in-front of them. Unfortunately, I have no control of when one will occur. I have had a good number of seizures over the course of the years... some of them in the worst possible places.
What happens most times when I have a seizure:
I do not feel what is happening to me as I am seizing. I am unconscious. I am told that the more common type of seizure I have is the Tonic-Clonic, so I twitch and jerk a lot. My muscles also seem to loosen and contract as well during these events. We no longer call the ambulance when I have them, unless I hit my head, have one in a severely dangerous place or have one for longer than five minutes. I have had a few that have been more than 10 minutes long, which is pretty scary. Rest assured the ambulance was there to be sure I was okay. After I am conscious again, I feel foggy, physically unstable and my muscles are sore, heavy and weak. It takes awhile for me to recover my strength and ability to think right again. For awhile, I have no memory of what happened or the events from at least 2 hours leading up to the seizure. It comes back to me slowly... sometimes a day or so before I recover all of it. I am the world's worst at biting my tongue while seizing but that always heals too, and I never really mind a few days of eating soft foods such as mashed potatoes and applesauce. :)
I have been on anti-epileptic medication for many years now and it works fairly well to prevent my seizures. On some occasions, I have what are called breakthrough seizures. Those types of seizures are while you are taking an anti-epileptic that has previously proven to help aid you in preventing seizures.
As someone who has had seizures for more than 15 years, I have began analyzing the events leading up to my seizures by recalling them in a journal I keep. I have found thru my recordings, that much of my seizures have been directed connected with stress(both physically and mentally), lack of sleep(working on that) and sensitivities to things such as extremely hot or humid places, lights of bright contrast and some sounds. The sensitivities are called reflex triggers. This is a very good idea for anyone who has seizures because it may help you to determine what you should try to limit use of, avoid or do to prevent an incident.
Report: After adjusting my life to relieve as much stress as possible (the highest factor that caused my seizures), along with the medication I take... I can say that I have not had a petit mal or grand mal seizure in two years! I am proud about that. I still have some Myoclonic type seizures when I am faced with some reflex triggers but I am hoping that I stay seizure free. I hope you do too!
Do You Know Someone With Epilepsy?
a friend, family member, child or co-worker...
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Did you Finding this Article Interesting?
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Squidoo_Chick
Mar 3, 2012 @ 3:13 am | delete
- Great info to help people who may know someone with Epilepsy
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weddingchecklist
Mar 1, 2012 @ 12:19 am | delete
- Very helpful information.
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Tipi
Feb 28, 2012 @ 6:34 am | delete
- Thanks for putting this together, good information and interesting!
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capturedbykc
Feb 28, 2012 @ 10:18 am | delete
- Thank you so much for your kind comment. I truly appreciate it. Also, thank you for stopping by this lens.
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EdmondHoggeJr
Feb 21, 2012 @ 9:20 am | delete
- Nice work on the lens!
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People suffering from Epilepsy are just a portion of those victimized in the battle against illnesses, disorders, diseases and disabilities that we are currently facing around the globe. We need to learn about other conditions and disorders that are affecting our fellow neighbors, family and friends too. Learning about these things makes us aware, allows us to better understand each other and what we are all going through. It also helps us to see what is really important... finding a cure. It is time that we band together, do our research and help fight for a cure against the diseases, disorders and conditions that are leaving us feeling helpless and disengaged from the world. Read, share and be aware. We can do it!
Latest News & Breakthroughs in Epilepsy
Great Sites to visit to learn more about Epilepsy!
- The Epilepsy Foundation
- Find out more about Epilepsy from the Epilepsy foundations site.
- CDC site- About Epilepsy
- CDC site with information about Epilepsy
- American Epilepsy Society
- American Epilepsy Society
- Epilepsy in Dogs
- Do dogs have seizures too? Find out on petmd.com
- Types of Epilepsy
- Read more about the different types of seizures and the parts of the brain they affect here.
- Seizure Alert Dogs!
- A very cool article about how dogs may be able to sense and alert you before an oncoming seizure!
by capturedbykc
Hi! My name is Kristina. I am a blissfully married woman who-together with my husband- raises and spoils 2 boxers, a tabby cat and a ball python snake... more »
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