Epilepsy

1. Epilepsy Cheyenne Ferguson

2. What is epilepsy? • Epilepsy is a brain disorder involving repeated, spontaneous seizures of any type. Seizures ("fits," convulsions) are episodes of disturbed brain function that cause changes in attention or behavior. They are caused by abnormally excited electrical signals in the brain.

3. What are the causes of epilepsy? • Sometimes a seizure is related to a temporary condition, such as exposure to drugs, withdrawal from certain drugs, a high fever, or abnormal levels of sodium or glucose in the blood. If the seizure or seizures do not happen again once the underlying problem is corrected, the person does NOT have epilepsy. • In other cases, permanent injury to or changes in brain tissue cause the brain to be abnormally excitable. In these cases, the seizures happen without an immediate cause. This is epilepsy. Epilepsy can affect people of any age. • Epilepsy may be idiopathic, which means the cause cannot be identified. These seizures usually begin between ages 5 and 20, but they can happen at any age. People with this condition have no other neurological problems, but sometimes have a family history of seizures or epilepsy.

4. Some other more common causes of epilepsy include: • Strokeor transient ischemic attack (TIA) • Illnesses that cause the brain to deteriorate • Dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease • Traumatic brain injury • Infections (including brain abscess, meningitis, encephalitis, neurosyphilis, and AIDS) • Problems that are present from before birth (congenital brain defects) • Injuries near the time of birth (in this case, seizures usually begin in infancy or early childhood) • Kidney failure or liver failure • Metabolic diseases that children may be born with (such as phenylketonuria) • Tumors or other structural brain lesions (such as hematomas or abnormal blood vessels)

5. Hereditary Causes • Many types of epilepsy tend to run in families, and some have been traced to an abnormality in a specific gene. These genetic abnormalities can cause subtle changes in the way the body processes calcium, potassium, sodium, and other body chemicals. • People who have progressive myoclonus epilepsy are missing a gene that helps break down protein. Those with a severe form of epilepsy called LaFora's disease are missing a gene that helps break down carbohydrates. • Hereditary factors are not always a direct cause of epilepsy but may influence the disease indirectly. Genes can affect the way people process drugs or can cause areas of malformed neurons in the brain.

6. Environmental causes Epilepsy can also be caused by: • Environmental and occupational exposure to lead, carbon monoxide, and certain chemicals • Use of street drugs and alcohol • Lack of sleep, stress, or hormonal changes • Withdrawal from certain antidepressant and anti-anxiety drugs

7. What parts of the body are affected? • During a seizure the brain is the main part of the body that is affected.

8. Behavioral Characteristics of Children With Epilepsy Blackouts- Epileptic children may blackout or lose consciousness when an electrical surge travels through part or all of their brain. Prolonged Staring, Unresponsiveness and Odd Behavior- Epileptic children may become emotionless or stare at a person or object for a prolonged amount of time as the seizure disrupts their brain function. Jerky and Repetitive Movements- During a seizure, epileptic children may involuntarily move their arms and legs, repeatedly nod their head, button and unbutton their shirt, blink their eyes, stumble and/or move in an unnatural way. Children may also appear clumsy or uncoordinated at times. Disruptive Behavior- Epileptic children who experience early onset partial seizures may exhibit hyperactivity, attention or temper problems, while children who experience left-side brain seizures may demonstrate anxiety and frustration. These children may become agitated due to their inability to understand or express ideas. Epileptic children who have right-side brain seizures may display social difficulties, problems understanding cues and impulsivity, while children who have seizures in the front of the brain may exhibit disorganization and lack of regard for consequences.

9. Accommodations for those with epilepsy

10. Memory: People with epilepsy may experience memory deficits, which can affect their ability to complete tasks, remember job duties, or recall daily actions or activities. This could be caused by a side-effect to medications or from recent seizure activity. Provide written or pictorial instructions, or prompt with verbal cues. • Offer training refreshers • Use chart to describe steps to complicated tasks • Maintain, safely and securely, paper lists of crucial information such as passwords • Use voice recordings of verbal instructions • Provide employee directory with pictures • Use nametags and door/cubicle name markers • Provide building directory or employee directory by name, floor, unit, etc. • Label items at desk (in-box, this week’s videos, etc.) • Use auto-dial phone features to connect quickly to used numbers

11. Time Management: People with epilepsy may have difficulty managing time, which can affect their ability to complete tasks within a specified timeframe. It may also be difficult to prepare for, or to begin, some work activities. Divide large assignments into several small tasks • Set a timer to make an alarm • Provide a checklist of assignments • Supply an electronic or handheld organizer, and train on how to use effectively • Use wall calendar to emphasize due dates

12. Stress management: People with epilepsy may have seizures when stress is not properly managed. Situations that create stress can vary from person to person, but could likely involve heavy workload, unrealistic timeframes, shortened deadlines, or conflict among coworkers. Provide praise and positive reinforcement. • Refer to employee assistance programs • Allow employee to make telephone calls to doctors (and others) for support • Provide sensitivity training • Modify work schedule

13. Helpful resources in the classroom • www.epilepsy.com • http://www.bcepilepsy.com/blog/back-to-school-tips-for-parents-and-students.aspx • http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a917561533~frm=abslink • http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/epilepsy/Resources-and-Support.aspx?articleID=6925&categoryID=EP-nh4-10

14. Works Cited • http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/epilepsy/epi_causes.html • www.ehow.com › ... › Neurological Disorders • www.livestrong.com/.../173864-characteristics-of-epilepsy • http://askjan.org/media/epilepsy.html • http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/epilepsy/Resources-and-Support.aspx?articleID=6925&categoryID=EP-nh4-10