ABOUT EPILEPSY AND HOW TO HELP SOMEONE SUFFERING FROM EPILEPSY

 

An acquaintance falls to the ground, unconscious. His body stiffened, and his head and limbs began to convulse. If you are aware that the person suffers from epilepsy, you can supply adequate assistance while waiting for help. And how can one do that? Let us quickly shed some light on the word Epilepsy.

WHAT IS EPILEPSY? 

Epilepsy, also called seizure disorder, is a disease of the brain that causes recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Epilepsy disrupts the brain’s normal electrical functions with abnormal bursts of electrical energy.

 Epilepsy is a disorder of the nervous system that causes a person to become unconscious suddenly, often with violent movements of the body.

                                      - Oxford Dictionary

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that produces brief attacks called seizures. The entire seizure usually lasts less than five minutes. Although epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disease, it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. Epilepsy can be caused by a variety of factors, from genetics to structural changes in the brain.

WHAT CAUSES SEIZURES? 

 Researchers believe that seizures occur when there is an abnormal surge of electrical activity between brain cells. And why this happens remains unclear.

IF I SEE SOMEONE WITH EPILEPSY HAVING A GRAND MAL SEIZURE, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

  The Encyclopedia of the Brain and Brain Disorders advised that ''Bystanders should let the attack run its course and not interfere with the patient, beyond checking to make sure the person is in no physical danger and can breathe''. On the other hand, the book says: ''An ambulance should be called if the seizure continues for more than five minutes, if another seizure immediately follows the first, or if the person does not regain consciousness a few minutes after the seizure ends''.

 HOW CAN I HELP THE PATIENT WHILE HE IS HAVING A SEIZURE?

  

Place a soft object between his head and the floor, and move sharp objects away from his head. When the convulsion stops,

* kneel beside the patient and bend one arm at the elbow, pointing it upward.

* gently tuck the other arm underneath his cheek.

* with your other hand, pull the patient's knee towards you, slowly rolling him over. Then move the patient's knee in front of his body so that it rests on the floor.

* tilt the patient's head up to allow for unobstructed breathing...

THINGS YOU MUST UNDERSTAND REGARDING EPILEPSY

1. EPILEPSY AFFECTS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.

Epilepsy and seizures can develop at any point in someone’s lifetime. One in 26 people will develop epilepsy. New cases are most common with younger children, particularly in the first year of life. However, cases also increase after age 55, as individuals develop strokes, brain tumors, and Alzheimer’s disease.

2. SEIZURES ARE DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE.

Each person’s seizure is different. Some can last a few seconds while others can last minutes. It’s important to know that some seizures will have other symptoms, such as numbness, impaired speech, and sudden confusion.

Although every seizure is different, there are two main types, defined by the location of impact in the brain:

A partial (focal) seizure occurs in a limited area of the brain. This type is responsible for approximately 60 percent of seizures. The person having the seizure will not remember it. They may appear to be twitching their arms. Other symptoms can include tingling, numbness, unusual head movements, flushed face, or nausea.

A generalized seizure affects both hemispheres of the brain at once. The generalized tonic-clonic seizure, also known as a grand mal seizure, is part of this group. In this type of seizure, the person will undergo three stages. First, the person will become unresponsive. They will enter a tonic phase, which results in stiffened limbs. The clonic phase results in jerking limbs. Eventually, the jerking will stop and the person will regain consciousness. Full recovery after this type of seizure can take minutes to hours.

In addition to grand mal seizures, generalized seizures also include absence (or petit mal) seizures, the most common seizure in children under 14. In these seizures, the person may become unresponsive and appear to be staring ahead. Their eyes may even roll into the back of their head. These types of seizures only last a few seconds. They may also be accompanied by chewing movements or excessive blinking.

If your loved one exhibits any signs of seizure, record as much information as you can.

 It’s important to know how to provide first aid to someone experiencing a seizure.

Some seizures are more dangerous than others. While there isn’t much you can do during a seizure to stop it, you can help protect the individual and provide assistance. Nineteen out of 20 seizures stop by themselves within two to three minutes, although there can be a prolonged period of confusion afterward. For seizures that last longer than five minutes, a call for an ambulance should be placed.

First, remember to remain calm. If appropriate, lay the individual on their side or cushion their head with a pillow. Once they are protected, call for help and remain with them until they recover. During a seizure, you should never put anything in the person’s mouth. This could cause serious injury. Here are some other things to be mindful of during a seizure.

THINGS TO DO:

* Call for emergency assistance when needed.

* Safely cushion the person’s head.

* Protect the person from any nearby objects.

* Time the length of the seizure.

* Stay with the person until they recover.

THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT DO:

Don’t put anything in the person’s mouth.

Don’t try to move the person.

Don’t try to restrain the person.

  WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER THE PATIENT AWAKENS?

 First, assure him that everything is all right. Then help him to stand upright and guide him to a place where he can get needed rest. Most people are confused and sleepy after a seizure; others recover quickly and can continue what they were doing before the attack.

  DO ALL EPILEPTIC SEIZURES INCLUDE CONVULSIONS?

 NO. Some patients experience a moment of impaired awareness without even falling to the ground. This type of seizure is called a Petit Mal Seizure (Or Absence Seizure), which is usually brief with no lingering aftereffects. Some people with epilepsy undergo prolonged petit mal seizures, lasting several minutes. In such a case, the patient may wander around the room, tug at his clothing, or otherwise behave strangely. After the seizure, he may feel light-headed.

 WHAT IS IT LIKE TO LIVE WITH EPILEPSY?

  Understandably, many people with epilepsy contend with a nagging fear of when and where the next seizure will occur. To avoid embarrassment, they may tend to avoid social situations.

 HOW CAN I GIVE SUPPORT TO SOMEONE WHO HAS EPILEPSY?

 Encourage him not to bottle up his feelings. Be a good listener. Ask him what he would like you to do if he has a seizure. Since many people with Epilepsy do not drive, perhaps you could offer a ride or run some errands for him.

CAN A SEIZURE BE REDUCED OR EVEN PREVENTED?

 Some factors increase the likelihood of a seizure, such as stress and lack of sleep. We, therefore, encourage epileptics to get proper rest and to exercise regularly in other to reduce stress. In some cases, medications have also been effective in preventing seizures. We have natural herbs that can help reduce seizures completely. And in some cases, one may even be cured by these herbs as we've recorded such success stories in the past. Their secret was that they were very consistent with the medication (without skipping the prescription). The human body system varies, but I believe consistency plays a major role here. Being consistent with the herbs, you will definitely get the result you seek.

For more information or to place an order, do contact us at:

greenlifeherbalhome@gmail.com