Kehinde was having a good time with his friends in class. Suddenly, he became stiff! But what followed next was what got his friends really scared. He fell forward, and began to shake violently. His eyes rolled back into their sockets, and only the whites could be seen. But it didn’t end there, he was also frothing at the mouth, and after a couple of minutes -which seemed like eternity – he became calm, and fell into a deep sleep. Golly gosh! That was an epileptic seizure, but his friends were completely clueless as to what to do. Well, not after reading this!
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes someone to have seizures. It is not a wicked spell cast on someone by evil people as some believe, and it is not contagious! Seizures can be best described as an electrical storm in the brain. (Have you ever experienced a wind storm – especially on rainy days? Now imagine something like that in the brain, but instead of wind, electric currents!). It is generalised if it occurs in the entire brain, and partial if it occurs in a relatively small part of the brain.
What May Be the Causes
- Problems with the blood vessels that supply the brain – such as a stroke
- Brain tumours
- Severe head injuries from accidents
- Drug abuse and alcohol misuse
- Infections that can damage the brain – such as meningitis
- Problems during birth that cause a baby to be deprived of oxygen – such as the umbilical cord getting twisted or compressed during labour
- Some parts of the brain not developing properly
Can You Be of Help?
Teens suffering from epilepsy may find it difficult to tell their friends, fearing that these may think they are different or weird. But they need the support of everybody, especially their friends when they suffer seizures because at that stage, they cannot help themselves. Here are what you can do:
- Remove all objects (glasses, furniture, and other objects) to prevent injury
- Use something soft under their head to act as a cushion, and to elevate their head so they can breath better
- Turn the person on their side, so their tongue will fall to the side. This will also help them breath easier, and prevent them from inhaling any secretions which could cause them to choke
- Loosen clothing around the person’s neck
- Do not try to hold the person down or restrain them. This can result in injury
- Do not insert any objects in the person’s mouth. This can also cause injury
- After a seizure, the person may be confused and should not be left alone
- Time the seizure: if the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes, or is someone’s first seizure, it is a medical emergency. Contact a doctor or health worker immediately
Can They Do Normal Things?
With proper treatment, epilepsy can be managed. Also, some children and teens actually outgrow epilepsy with age. Besides, epileptics are just like any other person, and can take part in most every activity except in certain situations where there may be restrictions – especially contact sports like Rugby and American football; even at that, they may still partake if it can be proven that their seizures are well controlled. Activities such as bike riding, horseback riding, or roller skating can be made safer by wearing helmets – just like for non-epileptics – and by having another person with them who knows they have seizures, and what to do if they have one.
Besides, did you know that Socrates – reputed to be the greatest thinker of all time – and French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte suffered from epilepsy? Yet, these men went on to do great things! It shows that epileptics are not any different from non-sufferers, save for their seizures.
So, Kehinde, Alex, and Patricia are better off now because you know this.
