Simple Partial
Approximately 65 million people around the world have been diagnosed with Epilepsy and about one third of them live with uncontrollable seizures because there isn't medication currently available to control them. It is my hope that this presentation will bring awareness and educate people about what epilepsy and seizures are and basic seizure first aid.
Basics of Epilepsy
What is Epilepsy and how does it effect the body?
Epilepsy is categorized as a chronics disorder in which a person experiences unprovoked and recurrent seizures. Seizures occur when nerve cells experience chemical changes that in turn cause an electrical activity that either overly encourages or stops brain cells from sending messages to other parts of the brain. Seizures can cause a very noticeable physical response, or can be very hard to detect. Regardless of the type of seizure a person experiences, it causes irreparable damage to the brain. Other symptoms and complications caused by epilepsy include: cognitive or learning problems, depression, anxiety, changes in mood or behavior, problems sleeping, unexplained injuries, reproductive problems, thinning of bones or osteoporosis, and risk of death.
Epilepsy First Aid
What do seizures look like and what to do if you see someone have one
What to Look For:
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Convulsions, Lost consciousness, altered awareness, uncontrolled physical movements, sensory impairments, intense emotional reactions, and irregular eye movement
What to Do:
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1)Stay calm 2)Time the seizure 3)Remove hazards/Cushion their head 4)Don't restrain them or put anything in their mouth 5)Offer reassurance when they come to 6)Call 911 if it lasts longer than 5 minutes, multiple seizures occur, or if this is the person's first seizure
Resources
A compilation of resources that I used for my project that you should check out
Epilepsy Foundation's website (www.epilepsy.com)
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They are a nationwide organization whose mission is to help fund research and educate others about epilepsy. Their mission is to work towards ending epilepsy and finding a permanent cure.
Mayo Clinic's website (mayoclinic.org)
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According to their mission statement, they are a non-profit organization committed to clinical practice, education and research, providing expert, whole-person care to everyone who needs healing.
Cure Epilepsy's website (cureepilepsy.org)
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They are a non-profit organization whose goal is to cure epilepsy by funding and promoting research.