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Children
with Special Needs -> What You Need to Know About
Epilepsy
Epilepsy refers
to the neurological disturbance in the activities of the
brain. Irrepressible electrical impulses in the nerves
cause this disorder, and therefore, one cannot classify
it as a contagious disease.
Recurrent seizures
are prevalent in an epileptic condition. Experts associate
this occurrence with the abnormal action or alteration
in the brain's electrical activity. The symptoms include
abrupt changes in emotions, behavioral disturbance, lost
or unstable consciousness, and irrational bodily movements.
Medical scientists,
today, are yet to find out the real cause of this disorder.
Hospitals around the world have recorded a list of epileptic
conditions, but these conditions differ from patient to
patient. Although it is subject to debate, doctors find
a delicate relationship between injuries or diseases and
epilepsy.
Ironically,
the Epilepsy Foundation of America reported recently that
70% of epileptic cases in the United States have no known
cause.
Epilepsy among
children has also recorded no real cause when it first
appeared.
Absence seizure
is a very common type of epilepsy among children. This
condition makes a child to appear as if he is blank or
daydreaming, but is in fact, temporarily unconscious.
The schoolteacher may even think that the child is losing
concentration or is merely displaying inattention in class.
In contrast,
there are common childhood occurrences that people mistakenly
think as signs of child epilepsy. Parents may confuse
gastrointestinal problems, migraines, night terrors, fainting
spells, normal sleep jerks, and holding breath spells
with seizures.
Parents, however,
should not worry if they cannot identify an occurrence
as a result or sign of child epilepsy.
Behavioral
and learning problems of the child that causes parents
difficulty in dealing can also add to the burdens of epilepsy.
How Epilepsy
Affects Children and their Families
On the surface,
a child suffering from epilepsy has the same level of
motor skills and intelligence as those children of their
age. This is why most of these young patients go to normal
schools.
Only a few
of young epileptic patients in the United States do not
go to mainstream schools. Some of them are unable to read
and learn fast. Hyperactivity and drowsiness, which are
the results of epilepsy medications, are also hindering
some of these youngsters from attending normal classes.
The social
skills of epileptic children also have the tendency to
degrade as they mature. Low self-esteem may result from
the parent's lack of discipline and overprotection. The
child feels awkward about himself when classmates frequently
tease and stereotype him as useless or when peers reject
him when seizures occur.
Epilepsy also
affects the stress level of the patient's family. Parents
overwhelm themselves with the extra supervisory duties,
and at times, they feel anxious and guilty of their child's
condition. Siblings may also turn away due to the lack
of attention.
Understanding
the complex pattern of epilepsy may also inadvertently
frustrate the parents, especially since they want their
child to recover from the condition. Unfortunately, it
is difficult to know all possible conditions during diagnosis.
Treating
Epilepsy
Treating epilepsy
does not only minimize intellectual and social incapability
that come form recurrent seizures, but it also helps in
reducing the occurrence of accidents, like choking, drowning,
or head injury from a fall.
Specialists
recommend appropriate medical treatment since not all
epileptic conditions are the same. Factors that help determine
the right epilepsy treatment are the nutritional status
of the patient, other medical conditions, and the level
of severity.
Doctors may
recommend any of these four types of epilepsy treatment:
1)Anticonvulsant
Medication
- This treatment
controls seizures. The child will undergo a series of
blood tests to make sure that there is an ideal therapeutic
level in the blood.
2) Surgery
- This is a
good treatment for young patients suffering from intractable
epilepsy. This type of epilepsy cause the patient to experience
increased frequency and intensity of seizures, often interfering
with life's daily routines.
3) Ketogenic
Diet
- This treatment
involves stringent consumption of a low-carbohydrate and
fat-rich diet. Experts observe that a decrease of carbohydrate
intake can trigger the body to release ketones, a type
of chemical in the blood that prevents seizures.
4) Vaga
Nerve Simulator
- This treatment
requires the implant of a small device that delivers alternating
electrical signals to the vagal nerve located just right
underneath the collarbone. To activate the device, a helper
will just swipe a magnet across the collarbone, which
then results to the decrease of the seizure episode.
Tips for
Parents and Teachers
Aside from
the prescribed treatment, members of the family and schoolteachers
can play a big role in assisting young epilepsy patients
in leading a healthy and happy life.
- Promote the
social life of the patient by encouraging him to participate
in school activities or sports events. Ask the school
to make safety precautions to avoid injury and accidents.
- Parents should
advise siblings and teachers should advise the patient's
classmates to be more considerate, supportive, and empathetic.
- Parents should
constantly maintain good communication with the school,
doctor, and the patient for monitoring purposes.
- Parents and
teachers must help the child understand that he is not
accountable for the behavior of others.
Children
with Special Needs -> What You Need to Know About
Epilepsy
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