How to cope with epilepsy

National Epilepsy week is held in June.

The week’s aim is to raise awareness about epilepsy, which is a neurological condition characterised by unusual electrical activity in the brain which causes seizures.

Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in the world.

It affects 1 out of 100 people in South Africa, with 50 million people liough about it.

There are several types of epilepsy, which are generally divided into two main categories.

Generalised seizures are seizures that occur when excessive electrical activity in the brain encompasses the entire organ, during which there may be loss of consciousness.

ving with epilepsy globally.

Although people know about epilepsy, they are just not educated en

Partial seizures are seizures that occur when excessive electrical activity is limited to one area in the brain, causing either simple partial seizures or complex partial seizures.

The causes of epilepsy can differ; in some cases you may find that it is an idiopathic epilepsy were in many cases the underlying cause is unknown.

In symptomatic epilepsy there can be different underlying causes, such as a head injury that can occur at any age, birth injury (lack of oxygen during birth), alcohol and drug abuse, degeneration (getting older), metabolic or biochemical disturbances or imbalances.

There are different forms of epilepsy and types of seizures. In some cases the seizures follow a definite pattern while others have unpredictable seizures.

The most important thing is that people need to be able to recognise a seizure and know what to do.

What to look for:

r Generalised absence: the person looks blank and stares. There may be blinking or slight twitching and it lasts a few seconds then normal activity continues. In this case, you can help the person by being reassuring as the person may be unaware of the seizure. Note that it has occurred.

r Generalised tonic clonic: the common sequence is staring, stiffening of the body, possible blue colour around the mouth and hand jerking movements. As breathing restarts, normal colour returns. Also, there may be blood-flecked saliva and incontinence. This may last for a few minutes. You can help this person by protecting them from injuring themselves. Cushion their head. Do not restrict movement or put anything in their mouth. Help breathing by laying the person on their side. Try to stay with the person until they have fully recovered from the seizure.

r Complex partial (affecting a specific area of the brain): This may start with a warning or “aura”, also the person may appear confused or distracted. There may also be repetitive movements. Assist this person by removing harmful objects and guide the person away from danger. Talk quietly to reassure them. In most cases, medical help is not required, but should be sought if the repetitive seizures occur without the regaining of consciousness in between. Medical attention is also recommended if the seizure shows no sign of stopping after a few minutes and if there is physical injury during the seizure.

There is no cure, but with the right medication, many are able to continue living a normal life with epilepsy.

For more information regarding epilepsy, contact Epilepsy South Africa on 0860 374537.

Alternatively, visit the website www.epilepsy.org.za or send an email to info@epilepsy.org.za for more information.