Monday, October 28, 2013

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

4 comments:

  1. Jillian, Excellent post. I am so glad that you listed your sources as well and that you include links. Great stuff!!!

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  2. This is great info! Seizures are very serious and frightening at times, especially to someone who has never witnessed them. Working in the field, the first thing I tell people is to throw out the window anything they have "heard" to do during a seizure since it is probably incorrect. I think it is great that you started off with all the myths about seizures!

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  3. thank you jillian on your short piece on Epilepsy. It was good to know that seizures related to this disorder. it was sad to learn that so many millions of people are affected. thanks for the links for more information.

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