Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder: A Guide for Parents

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Table of Contents

Description of the Disease Process
Signs and Symptoms
Treatment
Lifestyle Modifications
Lab Tests
Complications of the Disease Process
References

Description of the Disease Process

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects a patient’s quality of life significantly, causing complications, including seizures, and requiring qualified support. Simply put, epilepsy occurs in case the brain nerves are wired in a different way. Unfortunately, even though epilepsy is a rather common issue, particularly in underage patients, a number of parents whose children have epilepsy have a very poor idea of how to assist their children during an epilepsy fit. Therefore, active patient education is needed and should be provided. By following a set of simple rules and practices, parents can help children address epilepsy while children can have an improved quality of life.

Signs and Symptoms

It is critical for parents to be able to spot early signs and symptoms of epilepsy development. As a rule, epilepsy occurs in a series of uncontrollable movements, such as jerking or, on the contrary, becoming stiff and unmovable (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018). In addition, during an epilepsy fit, a patient loses the ability to talk or respond in any other way. Furthermore, the patient’s stare becomes blank, and the sense of awareness is almost lost (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018). The specified symptoms are quite evident when epilepsy occurs, yet they develop rapidly and uncontrollably. Therefore, it is vital for parents to act fast.

Treatment

Currently, available treatments can help minimize the frequency of epilepsy symptoms or make them vanish completely. First, medications aimed at eliminating the factors causing epilepsy must be mentioned. Known as anti-epilepsy drugs (AED), they change the performance of neurons. Namely, these medications reduce the activity of neurons (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018). The process occurs as the medicine changes the levels of specific chemical compounds in the patient’s brain.

Lifestyle Modifications

In addition to medicine, patients will also need to make several important changes to their lifestyles. Specifically, patients must follow a rigid sleep routine, going to bed roughly at the same time and sleeping the same number of hours every day (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018). In addition, it is recommended to keep a diary where a patient or the parents write down details about each epilepsy fit (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018). Finally, it is advised to follow a specific diet known as a ketogenic one (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018). The ketogenic diet encourages the body to run on fats instead of carbs (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018). The diet is believed to be very difficult to follow due to the restrictions on the product that are allowed to be eaten (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018). The specified measures allow for reducing the possibility of each instance of epilepsy.

Lab Tests

Moreover, patients must undergo a range of lab tests for the disease to be diagnosed. Several tests can be utilized to diagnose epilepsy, yet the electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetoencephalogram are typically utilized as the most common means of detecting problems in the functioning of brain neurons (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018). During the EEG process, a nurse places electrodes on the patient’s head while the patient lies on the bed. The use of electrodes is completely painless, and it allows the detection of the movement of neurons in the patient’s brain (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018). Thus, deviations from the norm are identified, pointing to the problem of epilepsy (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018). It is strongly recommended to avoid eating or drinking anything with caffeine eight hours before the test or earlier (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018). In the course of the test, the patient should breathe in deep and quick breaths (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018).

Complications of the Disease Process

Like many other complex and serious conditions, epilepsy may cause many complications. First, a child is likely to experience challenges in learning due to seizures and the lack of control over them. Therefore, parents should provide children with constant support to help them overcome the difficulties that epilepsy causes. In addition, since patients have difficulties controlling breathing and swallowing saliva during a fit, they may develop respiratory problems. Among the most severe outcomes, one should mention pneumonia (Kellerman & Rakel, 2018). Therefore, regular health checks and visits to a doctor must be advised.

References

e Souza, G. D. O., de Lanna Machado, F. S., Kimura, T. Y., & de Oliveira, H. L. L. L. (2022). Absence seizures in children and teenagers: ethosuximide, valproate or lamotrigine? A systematic review from 1999 to 2021 Apreensões de ausência em crianças e adolescentes: etosuximida, valproato ou lamotrigina? Uma revisão sistemática de 1999 a 2021. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, 5(1), 210-218. Web.

Kellerman, R. D., & Rakel, D. (2018). Conn’s current therapy 2019. Elsevier Health Sciences.

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