Epilepsy is still the most common, serious neurological condition in the world but it impacts each person’s life in a unique and individual way.
From May 23 to May 29, National Epilepsy Week will be taking place to raise awareness for those affected by epilepsy, what epilepsy is, who’s affected and what can be done to help those who suffer from this condition.
This week raises awareness of epilepsy with the aim to banish the myths surrounding it. It also highlights the help and support that is available to improve the lives of everyone affected by epilepsy.
From May 20 to May 26, National Epilepsy Week will be taking place to raise awareness for those affected by epilepsy, what epilepsy is, who’s affected and what can be done to help those who suffer from this condition.
This week raises awareness of epilepsy with the aim to banish the myths surrounding it. It also highlights the help and support that is available to improve the lives of everyone affected by epilepsy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
HOW COMMON IS EPILEPSY?
Epilepsy is the most common, serious neurological disorder worldwide. More than half a million people in the UK have epilepsy, which equates to 1 in 100 people.
Epilepsy can affect anyone, of any age, race, or sex, at any time from any walk of life.
How Epilepsy Affects Lives
A passion project made by Brooke Wilson and her friends to help educate the community and beyond about epilepsy. As a parent of a child with complex health, she spends a great deal of time advocating and educating about epilepsy.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
GENERALISED SEIZURES
Primary generalised seizures involve the whole brain and therefore involve the whole body. There are many types of generalised seizures – some convulsive, others non-convulsive.
FOCAL / PARTIAL SEIZURES
There are two types of focal seizures: simple focal seizures and complex focal seizures.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF SEIZURES
MEDICATION
Epilepsy cannot be cured with medication. However, with the right type and strength of medication, the majority of people with epilepsy do not have seizures. The medicines work by stabilising the electrical activity of the brain. You need to take medication every day to prevent seizures.
Deciding on which medicine to prescribe depends on such things as:
A low dose is usually started. The aim is to control seizures at the lowest dose possible. If you have further seizures, the dose is usually increased. There is a maximum dose allowed for each medicine.
SURGERY
Surgery is only possible for a minority of people with epilepsy and it may be considered when medication fails to prevent seizures, especially focal seizures (used to be called partial seizures). Only a small number of people with epilepsy are suitable for surgery and, even for those are, there are no guarantees of success. Also, there are risks from operations. However, surgical techniques continue to improve and surgery may become an option for more and more people in the future.
– Multiple subpial transection (MST) is a surgical technique in which the connections of the epileptic focus are partially cut without resecting it. Palliative surgery for seizure reduction, generally patients does not become seizure free.
Temporal Lobotomy
• Removal of a portion of the temporal lobe of the brain
• It is the most common type of epilepsy surgery
• After surgery, 60% to 70% of patients are seizure free
Frontal Lobotomy
• Removal of a portion of the frontal lobe
• It is the second most common type of epilepsy surgery
• After temporal lobotomy 30% to 50% of patients are free of seizures that impair consciousness or cause abnormal movements
– The surgeon removes all or portions of the affected hemisphere. The surgeon also gently separates the hemispheres to access and out the corpus-callostum.
– A treatment for epilepsy where a small generator is implanted under the skin below the left collarbone. The vagus nerve is stimulated to reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures. This can be suitable for some people with seizures that are difficult to control with medication. The ketogenic diet is a diet very high in fat, low in protein and almost carbohydrate-free. This can be effective in the treatment of difficult-to-control seizures in some children.
How it works: VNS Therapy is delivered through a device (generator and lead) that sends mild pulses through the vagus nerve to areas of the brain known to be associated with seizures. VNS Therapy delivers these periodic pulses all day, in an effort to control your seizures.
– This is an operation that severs (cuts) the corpus callosum, interrupting the spread of seizures from hemisphere to hemisphere. Seizures generally do not completely stop after this procedure. Seizures usually become less severe, as they cannot spread to the opposite side of the brain.
KETOGENIC DIET
The “classic” ketogenic diet is a special high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that helps to control seizures in some people with epilepsy. It is prescribed by a physician and carefully monitored by a dietitian. It is usually used in children with seizures that do not respond to medications. It is stricter than the modified Atkins diet, requiring careful measurements of calories, fluids, and proteins. Foods are weighed and measured.
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The name ketogenic means that it produces ketones in the body. (keto = ketone; genic = producing) Ketones are formed when the body uses fat for its source of energy.
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Usually the body uses carbohydrates (such as sugar, bread, pasta) for its fuel. Because the ketogenic diet is very low in carbohydrates, fats become the primary fuel instead. The body can work very well on ketones (and fats).
What foods are allowed on a ketogenic diet?
Foods that are generally allowed include high-fat meats, fish, oils, nuts, high-fat dairy such as cheese, and low-carb vegetables.
Unsurprisingly, reducing carb levels means cutting out bread, pasta, rice, and most conventional baked goods. However, achieving such low levels of carbs also means skipping legumes, root vegetables, most fruits and starchy veggies, such as potatoes. It is recommended that carbs are limited to 30g for men and 20g for women per day.
WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE HAS A SEIZURE?
DOs
Watch the person carefully to recognise the seizure
Calmly explain the situation to others
Observe, take notes and time the seizure
Clear hazardous objects, keep the area safe
Cushion person’s head remove eyeglasses & any tight clothing
Place the person on his or her side carefully
Stay until person regains consciousness or help arrives
Speak quietly & calmly to the person
Call 999 if it lasts more than 5 minutes or results in injury
DON’Ts
Don’t put anything in the person’s mouth
Don't panic, shout, or do anything startling
Don’t restrain the person or try to stop the movements
