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What Should You Do If Your Family Member Has A Epilepsy Seizures Attack?

admin — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:17:02 +0000

As the epilepsy seizures person may be unconscious or drowsy, it is important that the family member or caregiver knows what to do:

- Keep the person safe from injury – for example, remove surrounding objects especially those with sharp corners and protect him from falling to the ground

- If unconscious, make sure he/she is still breathing before placing in the recovery position

- Do not place any object in his/her mouth. This may cause injuries like chipped teeth or even a broken jaw

- Call for an ambulance if the epileptic fit:
    a. lasts more than 5 minutes
    b. repeated seizures occur one after another
    c. occurs in a pregnant woman or a person with diabetes

- Otherwise, allow him to recover/regain consciousness and bring him to his family doctor for a check up

- Try to remember the events you have witnessed. This will be very helpful to the doctor

What measures can be taken to reduce the risk of another epileptic fit attack?
It is important that you do the following:

- take your anti-epileptic medicine exactly as prescribed; avoid stopping the medicine or altering the dosage unless instructed to do so by your doctor

- strive for general well being with a balanced diet, regular physical activity and effective stress management

- limit your intake of alcohol

- make sure you get enough sleep and rest, as lack of sleep can trigger a epileptic fit attack

- when you fall ill, please see your family doctor for early treatment as another illness can increase your risk of having another epileptic fit attack

How to improve safety during a epileptic attack?
The following measures can be adopted to help improve workplace and home safety:
- minimise exposure to open fires and sharp objects as well as consider minimising or avoiding the sue of microwave ovens and blenders

- do not lock toliet doors and avoid lying in bathtubs for prolonged periods; showers are safer

- avoid operation of heavy machinery

- carry a card stating your condition and your medicines. This will be helpful in an emergency. Your doctor will be able to help you apply for one.

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How is Epilepsy Being Treated?

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:04:04 +0000

Anyone who has a epilepsy seizures must be assessed by an epilepsy specialist (neurologist) or an epilepsy specialist team usually comprising of:

doctors
nurses
medical social workers

You will undergo test that will usually include"

blood test
an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the brain (where this is not possible, a CT scan may be done)
an EEG (electroencephalograph – measures the brain's electrical waves)

Sometimes additional tests may be necessary such as an ECG. The test will help your doctor find out if there is any underlying cause for your fit.

What is the Treatment for Epilepsy and the Epilepsy Medication?

If there is any treatable underlying cause for your epilepsy seizures, your doctor will treat it. In addition, he will assess the likelihood of another epileptic fit occurring. If the chance is high, you will usually be prescribed treatment with anti-epileptics include:

phenytoin
carbamazepine
aodium valproate

Other treatment forms, such as surgery, may be considered, but tese are less common. Unless your epilepsy is very stable and you can be discharged to your family doctor, you will usually be followed up the specialist at regular intervals.

Tags: Epilepsy

Cause of Epilepsy and the Epilepsy Symptoms Attack

admin — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:35:32 +0000

What is the exact cause of Epilepsy and the Epilepsy symptoms? Epilepsy occurs when the brain malfunctions due to sudden abnormal electrical discharge of brain cells. If all of the brain cells discharge at once, the epileptic fit is called a generalised fit. If only part of the brain is involved in discharging abnormal signals, the epileptic fit is called a partial fit. Epilepsy is diagnosed when you have repeated episodes of epileptic fits. An epileptic fit is also referred to as an epileptic seizure.

What is the cause of Epilepsy?
In about 70% of cases, the cause is unknown. However, it is important that you do all the recommended tests so that your specialist can exclude any underlying cause for your epileptic fits, especially those which are treatable. Examples of cause of epileptic fits include:

- Stroke
- Brain Infection
- Head Injury

What happens during an epileptic fit and the symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on which part of the brain is functioning abnormally.

Generalised Fit
There are many types of of generalised fits. In one type (called grand mal fit) there is a sudden loss of consciousness and the person may fall to the ground. Subsequently, there may be body stiffening and shaking movements. The tongue may be bitten and urine may be passed due to loss of bladder control. After the fit, the body relaxes and the person usually experiences drownsiness for several hours.

Partial Fit (also called focal fits)
There are also many types of partial fits. In a partial fit, there may be changes to the way the person looks at things, feels, smells or tastes. In other cases, there may be staring and unusual movements like lip smaking, hand rubbing etc.

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