Show r n f t 1 r What Do You Know Kno K now About Epilepsy Four million Americans suffer from some sort of seizure disorder commonly commonly commonly com com- known as epilepsy It is not limited to people of any specific age group race ace or other distinguishable distinguish distinguish- able similarity Thirty per cent of all people with epilepsy acquire acquire acquire ac ac- ac- ac quire the disorder before e the age of four 85 of the people with epilepsy are diagnosed sed by the age of 20 The 15 of adult acquiring epilepsy include motor vehicle accident accident ac ac- ac- ac victims those who encounter a major disease se or or who dont don't have an explanation of why v Some of the the major causes of epilepsy are damage e to the central nervous ner nervous nervous ner- ner system before during during during dur dur- ing or just after birth defects defects defects de de- de- de in the brain present at birth head injuries that tha can occur at any age poisons poisons poisons poi poi- sons lead and alcohol Other causes of epilepsy epilepsy epilepsy epi epi- epi- epi lepsy include diseases such as measles and encephalitis disorders of the circulatory system tu tumors tumors tu- tu mors usually in the brain and poor nutrition or disturbances dis dis- dis- dis in metabolism There are some cases cases- where no cause can be in- in Epilepsy is a disorder r of the tl e central nervous r r tern tem Brain cells create abnormal abnormal abnormal ab ab- ab- ab normal electrical discharges dis dish charges that cause seizures sei sei- seizures temporary loss of control ol over certain body functions Epilepsy isn't curable in the usual sense sense sense sen sen- se but most cases can be partly or completely controlled controlled controlled con con- trolled by y anti drugs After an extended period of freedom from seiz seizures res it is often offen possible possible possible ble for a person to get along without medication Epilepsy y is not contagious ous a mental Mines nor a a sign of low intelligence The disease can affect anyone anyone anyone an an- yone at any age at any ti ti- ti me Seizures can be mild mildor mildor or or severe but usually last only a short while What should you do if you see someone having a seizure STAY CALM dont don't try to restrain or re revive revive revive re- re vive the person If she he is seated when the seizure stats help ease him her to the floor REMOVE HA HA- n such as hard hot or sharp objects that can cause caus injury if person falls or knocks' knocks aga against them DONT DON'T MOVE PERS PERSON N unless the area is clearly dangerous such as a busy street Loosen tight clothing but clothing but dont don't try artificial artificial arti arti- respiration CHECK CHECK- AIRWAYS Be sure mouth and nose are clear but never try to force mouth open Turn head to side if possible DONT DON'T CALL A DOCTOR or ambulance ambulance ambulance am am- unless the person to fo have ave one one attack after another without re regaining regaining regaining re- re gaining consciousness Let the seizure seiz re run its course WHEN SEIZURE ENDS let the person rest or pr sleep s if she he wishes Be calm reassuring as as the person may feel embarrassed embarrassed em em- barr or disoriented after an attack If you have any questions questions ques ques- you you can contact the Epilepsy Association of Utah 53 East South Suite SC SG UT UJ or call |