Epilepsy - Myth Busting.

So, there are a pretty decent amount of myths about epilepsy and seizures that I feel need busting. For example, it's a common myth that you should restrain a person who is seizing. This is a bad idea because you can seriously hurt them. If they are convulsing, the last thing you'd want to do is try to hold them still, this could lead to broken bones and other injuries. Check out these two links about Epilepsy truths.
1. 10Truths 
2. Other Myths

So what is epilepsy then? 

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder where the sufferer has seizures. Seizures occur when parts of the brain "get excited" and fire repeatedly. Brain cells, also called "neurons" send messages to each other signaling the person to have a seizure. This process could alter a person's consciousness, movements or actions.

Epilepsy is generalized as a seizure disorder, but just because a person has one isolated seizure incident does not mean they are epileptic. There must be more than one unprovoked seizure in order to be classified as epilepsy.

Epilepsy is very common. It affects about 65 million people world wide. It's said to be the fourth most common neurological disorder in the United States, following only migraines, strokes, and Alzheimer's disease. Epilepsy affects more people than Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Cystic Fibrosis COMBINED. 

Sources:
1. Wikipedia
2. Mayo Clinic
3. Epilepsy Foundation

{Introduction} ... Hmm, what's this about?

So, here am I am doing a quick introduction blog. I'm starting this rather later than I had originally intended, but I am writing this blog for a class I am taking at Nassau Community College. The class is called "Introduction To Developmental Disabilities". I must say I am excited for every meeting of this class. I find it very interesting, though I'm not quite sure this is the field I am going to enter. We shall see I suppose!

In this blog I am going to explore a seizure disorder known as Epilepsy. I'm starting this blog before doing any research, and all I really know about this disorder is that it has to do with seizures, and sometimes bright or flashing lights can trigger seizures. That's literally I know so far, and I'm genuinely excited to start this blog for real! 

Keep checking back, I promise there will be something slightly more interesting here next time!
-jk:)