Essentials of Epilepsy

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Essentials of Epilepsy
Chris Koutsogeorgas EDTE 731
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What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a disorder in which nerve cells
of the brain from time to time release abnormal
electrical impulses. These cause a temporary
malfunction of the other nerve cells of the
brain, resulting in alteration of, or complete
loss of consciousness.
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What Causes Epilepsy?

• Acquired, congenital, or hereditary diseases
• Birth or pre-birth trauma
• Brain injuries
• Abnormal metabolism
• Chemical imbalance
• Degenerative diseases affecting the brain
• Poisoning (especially lead)
• Brain tumors
• Infections such as meningitis and encephalitis
• Scar formation in the brain from injury or
  operation
• Alterations in blood sugar

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Common Myths About Epilepsy

• Epilepsy can cause mental illness, mental
  retardation,
• and cerebral palsy
• Epilepsy is rarely treated successfully
• People with epilepsy cannot lead normal lives
• Most people with epilepsy cannot work and
  collect
• welfare checks
• People with epilepsy lack intelligence
• Epilepsy is very rare
• Children with epilepsy need to attend special
  schools
• All people with epilepsy have convulsions
• People with epilepsy are possessed by the devil
• People with epilepsy are no longer
  discriminated
• against and made fun of in our society
• 
  (example)gt

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What Percentage of the Population Has Epilepsy?
1.75
1.25
.5
98.25
98
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First Aid for Seizures
1. Remove sharp corners and/or heavy objects.
Place a cushion or similar object under the
person's head. 2. Do not try to restrain the
person or put anything in their mouth. It
is medically impossible for a person to
swallow their tongue. 3. Leave the person alone
until their muscles relax, and then place
them in the recovery position on their side. 4.
Wait with them quietly and talk to them
reassuringly. 5. Only call an ambulance if it is
the persons first seizure, if the seizure
lasts more than five minutes, or if the
person has subsequent seizures.