Epilepsy

 

Epilepsy (Sometimes referred to as Seizure Disorder) is a chronic disorder in which neurons (nerve cells) in the brain send out wrong signals which can lead to a child having regular or repeated whole body convulsions. In many cases, a child may “go limp” followed by their body uncontrollably shaking. The body shakes are the most identifiable characteristic of a child having a seizure, but it may be possible to have a seizure and not shake. Some children may not shake but their body made stiffen for a period of time. Other children may have jerky movements in just one part of their body. It is possible for a child to lose consciousness during a seizure. 

 

Having seizures is not painful but it may be possible for a child to get hurt if they have a seizure because they may fall to the floor and hit parts of their body hard on the ground. Generally, children do not remember what happened during their seizure. Having one seizure does not mean that you have Epilepsy. Epilepsy is not diagnosed until a person is reported to have at least two seizures. 

(*Special note: It is not uncommon for a young child to have a seizure as the result of a high fever during an illness and medical tests indicate that 1 out of every 10 people may have a seizure in their lifetime.*). Some seizures can cause brain damage. 

 

In about 50% of children who develop Epilepsy, the cause of the Epilepsy is not known. In these cases, the only thing that is known is that seizures occur because there is a disruption in brain activity and this happens without blame to the child or the family. 

Sometimes there is an identifiable cause for the seizures. Most often, these are: brain injury, an infection such as meningitis or malaria, chemical imbalance such as low blood sugar or sodium, head injury, certain toxic chemicals or drugs of abuse, alcohol withdrawal, stroke, including hemorrhage and birth injuries

 

 

There is no cure for epilepsy at this time. However, seizures caused by epilepsy are most often controlled with medication. In cases in which medication does not adequately control for seizures, a surgically implanted device called a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) has proven to be effective. A VNS is implanted under the skin near the collarbone with a wire that leads to the vagus nerve in the brain. The device is programmed to produce electrical signals in the brain that counteract the disruptions in the nerve cells which cause seizures.

 

 

There is no known method of preventing the development of Epilepsy in the brain, but once a child is diagnosed as having Epilepsy, it is important to try to keep them in safe environments (not in very high places where children may hurt themselves if a seizure were to occur and they fell to the floor).

 

Meningitis and malaria can be prevented by the use of mosquito netting and having clean water available. If these diseases are prevented or treated early with the use of medication, it is possible to reduce the likelihood that a child may develop Epilepsy.

 

Lead very normal lives that include: succeeding in school, making friends, having their own family when they are grown up and accomplishing many great things throughout their lives!