Epilepsy awareness important 11/15/2009 10:05 PM Staff reports Staff reports
It's often likened to a thunderstorm in the brain - epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that means the brain has a tendency to produce sudden bursts of electrical energy that disrupts other brain function.
Millions of tiny electrical charges passing between nerve cells in the brain and to all parts of the body make up normal brain function. It is when normal patterns are interrupted by intense bursts of electrical energy that a seizure occurs, which affects a person's consciousness, bodily movements or sensations for a short time.
More than 3 million people living in the United States have been diagnosed with epilepsy. It even occurs in dogs, cats and rabbits.
More Americans suffer from epilepsy than they do Parkinson's, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis combined but epilepsy receives far fewer federal research dollars than the others do.
The cause of epilepsy is unknown in seven out of 10 people. In others, the cause can be head injuries or lack of oxygen during birth, tumors, genetic conditions, exposure to toxins, problems in brain development and infections.
There is no cure, but seizures can be well controlled with medication.
There is a lot of information out there on epilepsy and lot of misconceptions.
November is Epilepsy Awareness Month and the Epilepsy Foundation has launched its annual Get the Word Out campaign to better educate the public about epilepsy and help dispel some popular myths surrounding the neurological condition.
Myth: Epilepsy is contagious.
Truth: Epilepsy is never contagious. You cannot catch epilepsy from someone.
Myth: A person can swallow their tongue during a seizure so you should insert something in their mouth to compress the tongue.
Truth: It is physically impossible to swallow your tongue. You should never try to insert something into a person's mouth while they are having a seizure, you could end up hurting them
Myth: A person with epilepsy is disabled, impaired and cannot work.
Truth: People with epilepsy have the same range of abilities and as much as intelligence as anyone else. Yes, some have severe, uncontrolled seizures and cannot work, but many others have successful, productive careers
Myth: Epilepsy is a sign of mental illness.
Truth: Epilepsy is a physical condition, not a mental illness or handicap.
Myth: People with epilepsy look different.
Truth: There is no way to detect whether or not a person has epilepsy unless you witness them having a seizure.
Myth: A person having a seizure should be held down or restrained.
Truth: You could end up hurting yourself or the other person trying to restrain someone who is having a seizure. Do make sure the area around the person is clear of hard or sharp objects.
Myth: You can make a person "snap out" of a seizure.
Truth: There is really nothing you can do to end a seizure. The best thing is to be supportive and reassuring once the person regains consciousness.
Myth: You have to be born with epilepsy.
Truth: Epilepsy often first appears in children and young adults, although anyone can develop epilepsy at any time.
Myth: People with epilepsy have violent tendencies
Truth: Certain types of seizures can make a person appear violent.
People who have complex partial seizures have been known to fling objects across the room or strike out at walls or furniture as though they are angry or afraid, but the uncontrolled activity in their brain causing the seizure has altered their consciousness.
Their actions during a seizure are not an indication of their personality. People with epilepsy are not predisposed to violence nor do they have more violent tendencies than the general population.
Source: Epilepsy Foundation
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