What is Epilepsy?
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. It's a common childhood brain disorder in the United States, affecting nearly 3 million Americans, including about 450,000 children under 17. The condition is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, leading to episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, and/or seizures.
What are the Different Types of Seizures in Epilepsy?
- Generalized convulsions: These are seizures that involve the entire body. They can cause muscle stiffness, jerking movements, and loss of consciousness.
- Focal seizures: These seizures start in one area of the brain and can cause twitching, numbness, or tingling of the face or tongue. They can interfere with speech and cause drooling.
- Spasms: These are sudden, involuntary contractions of the muscles.
- Tonic seizures: These seizures cause stiffening of the muscles. They usually affect the muscles in the back, arms, and legs and may cause the person to fall to the ground.
What are the Symptoms of a Focal Seizure?
Focal seizures often start between the ages of 1 and 14, and can cause twitching, numbness, or tingling of the face or tongue. These seizures can interfere with speech and cause drooling. Sometimes, they can progress into a tonic-clonic seizure. The most common aura involves feelings such as deja vu, impending doom, fear, or euphoria, or visual changes, hearing abnormalities, or changes in sense of smell.
What are the Treatment Options for Epilepsy?
- Anticonvulsant medications: These medications are designed to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.
- Ketogenic diet: This is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that has been shown to reduce the frequency of seizures in some people with epilepsy.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be recommended to remove the area of the brain where the seizures are originating.
- Modified Atkin diet: This is a less restrictive version of the ketogenic diet, which can also help to reduce seizures.
- Vagal nerve stimulator: This is a device that's implanted under the skin in the chest. It sends electrical signals to the brain to help control seizures.
What Should You Do If a Child is Having a Seizure?
If a child is having a seizure, it's important to stay with the child and provide reassurance. If the child is on the ground, put something soft under their head and loosen anything that is tight around their neck. Do not try to stop the child from moving, and do not put anything in their mouth.
How Does Epilepsy Affect a Child's Daily Life?
Epilepsy can have a significant impact on a child's daily life. The unpredictability of seizures can cause stress and anxiety, both for the child and for their family. It can also affect the child's ability to participate in certain activities, such as sports. However, with the right treatment and support, most children with epilepsy are able to lead normal, healthy lives.
How Can Parents Support a Child with Epilepsy?
Parents can support a child with epilepsy in many ways. This includes learning as much as possible about the condition, being patient and understanding, helping the child to manage their medication, and working closely with the child's healthcare team. It's also important to help the child to maintain a regular sleep schedule, as lack of sleep can trigger seizures.