Epilepsy Presented by Sarah Beggs and Jess Gardoll
Slide 2
What Is Epilepsy? Epilepsy is a sudden altered state of
consciousness and bodily control due to abnormal electrical
discharges within specific areas of the cortex. (brain) These
attacks cause a seizure to occur and the seizure can occur for
seconds or minutes depending on the severity of the
disease.(Westwood, 2009)
Slide 3
Causes for Epilepsy Epilepsy is caused by many factors, here
are just a few: Sleep deprivation Head injury Intoxication-drugs
and alcohol Infection within the brain- meningitis, encephalitis
Brain chemistry Hereditary causes Prenatal injuries Environmental
causes Nutritional deficiencies Certain types of lighting Strong
emotion Intense exercise Stress Hormonal changes Missed Medication
The Risk Factors Babies are born with abnormal brain structure
Bleeding within the brain Abnormal blood vessels in the brain
Serious injury due to lack of oxygen to the brain Brain tumors
Stroke Cerebral palsy Mentally handicapped Alzheimers disease-later
in the illness
Slide 4
What is a Seizure? A seizure is a sudden burst of electrical
activity within the brain and this affects how a person feels/acts.
Seizures however, are not a disease they are symptom of many
disorders from the brain. Some seizures go unnoticed whilst others
are immobilize the individual. (Epilepsy, 2010)
Slide 5
Seizures-Beginning, Middle and End For many people who suffer
from epilepsy they go through three stages whilst having a seizure.
An individual may have a warning or early symptoms that prompt them
for an attack it could be racing thoughts, dizziness, nausea or
visual loss/burning. The middle of the seizure can take on many
forms the symptoms may become more serious or it may stay similar.
The end then brings the individual back to their normal state. This
is called postictal period and represents the recovery period of
the brain readjusting after the attack. It may last from seconds to
minutes or hours depending in the individual and what part of the
brain was affected. (Epilepsy 2010)
Slide 6
Types of Seizures There are different types of seizures, but
they can be separated into two major categories partial and
generalised. Here are a few more: Partial seizure Generalised
seizure Absence Seizure-loss of facial expression and eye blinking.
Myoclonic Seizure- muscle jerks involving upper body. Tonic
Seizure-brief stiffening of whole body. Atonic Seizure-brief loss
of muscle control usually collapsing head first. (Epilepsy Action,
2008)
Slide 7
What to do if a Seizure Occurs 1.During the seizure there are
safety precautions to prevent injury, you should place a small
pillow under their head, loosen restrictive clothing and roll the
person on side to prevent aspiration and ease from a standing or
sitting position to the floor. 2.If the person is unconscious, make
sure nothing is obstructing the nose or mouth. When you are
watching an epileptic attack you should stay calm. 3.You shouldnt
place a finger or other object into the persons mouth to protect or
straighten the tongue-it is unnecessary and dangerous. 4.Dont
perform artificial respiration during a seizure, even if the person
is turning blue. Most seizures are long over before brain damage
begins. 5.Look for any identification, especially epilepsy
bracelets or information cards. 6.You shouldnt try to restrict the
person because you may injure them or yourself. 7.If the person has
vomited, you should roll the person on their side so that any fluid
can easily flow out of the mouth. 8.Dont give the person anything
to eat or drink until they have fully recovered. 9.Dont give the
person medication until the seizure has stopped and he/she is
completely awake. 10.Stay with the person until recovery is
complete. 11.Try and maintain a patent airway, note the frequency,
type, time, body parts involved and the length of the seizure. It
is important to monitor vital signs and neurologic status.
(Epilepsy Australia, 2010.)
Slide 8
Activity One-Memory Can you remember the order of what to do if
a seizure occurs.
Slide 9
Epilepsy Risk Management People who have to live with epilepsy
are more susceptible to other risks these include: Injury-most
common injuries occur due to individuals burning themselves in the
kitchen or bathroom. Driving- laws are in place for driving after a
seizure, however if an individual has an attack whilst driving it
can be catastrophic. Swimming and Bathing- Check for
Hazards-leisure, work and home Emergency Identification-some people
choose to wear something to show they are suffering from epilepsy
with small amount of information attached. (Epilepsy Australia
2010)
Slide 10
Treatment Epilepsy can be treated in many different means; once
a diagnosis has been completed it is best to select the appropriate
treatment for the individual. The objective of all treatments is to
prevent seizures so that even though the individual has epilepsy
they are still able to lead active lives. Treatment includes:
Medications-depends upon the type of seizure they experience.
Surgery-only in serious cases. Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Therapy-short bursts of electrical energy directed at the brain via
vagus nerve. Complementary Treatment- folk medicines, herbs and
megavitamin therapy. Ketogenic Diet- high in fats and low in
carbohydrates. (Epilepsy Foundation 2008)
Slide 11
Impact of Epilepsy-Individual Epilepsy impacts individuals
differently as depends on the type of epilepsy they have and how
serious case they have as well. The fear of having a seizure is a
major impact that affects individuals lives, also low self-esteem
from a stigmatising disorder can rob the individual of their
self-confidence and initiative to learn and try new things.(Mittan,
2010. Epilepsy and Learning Disabilities Part 1) Epilepsy is not
just a physical disorder but a disorder that affects how the
individual learns; it limits the experiences that they are able to
participate in. People with epilepsy also experience discrimination
as people dont understand what living with epilepsy is like and are
afraid to interact or socialise with individuals as they feel they
wont know what to do if they have a seizure.(World Health
Organisation 2009) Epilepsy can also affect how students perform
with the classroom in particular they may have difficulty with
concentration, memory, organisational skills and challenges in
reading, spelling and maths. (Elliot, 2005. Epilepsy: Impact on the
Life of the Child) People with epilepsy may also suffer from
behavioural/emotional issues these include anxiety, depression,
irritability, hyperactivity and aggression. This then impacts on
their social inclusion which can reinforce their negative view
about themselves and they become alienated.
Slide 12
Impact of Epilepsy-Family Not only does epilepsy impact on the
individual it can also affect the lives of their families. The
diagnosis of epilepsy in the family may make the parents focus on
the child with epilepsy damaging their relationships with their
other children. Also it impacts on the relationship between the
siblings due to the psychological difficulties. (Hills, 2007. The
psychological and social impact of epilepsy) It is common for
parents and siblings to experience anxiety, guilt and feelings of
helplessness. Seizures have the potential to interrupt normal
routines; this in turn can impact a familys daily activities.
However, as unsettling as a seizure itself may be, the inability to
predict when they will occur may have an even more profound affect.
(Growing up with Epilepsy 2006)
Slide 13
Implications-Teachers/Schools Teachers need to be informed by
parents if their child has epilepsy, this is essential to ensure
that the child has the best learning opportunities. The school also
needs to be told if the child has epilepsy so that all teachers are
aware. It is also suggested that the child be fully informed about
their condition so that are able to better understand and cope with
it effectively. (Westwood, 2009. What teachers need to know about
students with disabilities?) It is important for the teacher/school
to know what medication the student is on and how much dosage they
require as they may have to give the medication if needed. Also any
side effects that may be associated with the medication as this can
alter the students behaviour and education. The school has to
notify the parents if an attack has occurred at school and
depending on the parents choice they may be sent home. Epilepsy can
affect how a student will perform and interact at school. The child
may seem to be day dreaming, not paying attention, not following
instructions and not understanding. It is important to notice these
signs as the child may be about to have an attack, or they have had
one and are embarrassed to talk about it.
Slide 14
Activity Two-Myth or Fact Epilepsy is rare-myth around 50
million people have epilepsy. Epilepsy is contagious-myth epilepsy
is not contagious. Epilepsy cant be cured-fact whilst there is
treatment available it will only modify the condition it will not
cure it. Epilepsy is a sign of low intelligence-myth epilepsy is a
physical condition. Always call the ambulance-myth unless the
seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, or is followed by a series of
seizures you do not have to call the ambulance. Epilepsy is a
medical condition-fact epilepsy is caused by excessive discharges
from the brain.
Slide 15
The Curriculum The curriculum may need to be adjusted to suit
the child with epilepsy to ensure their educational needs and
social needs are being filled. It is important that teachers dont
exclude children with epilepsy from classroom activities as this
will influence the other children in the class. Inclusion within
the school plays a vital part to assist with childrens self esteem
and confidence. The teacher does need to assess the environment and
the risk level that he/she may be exposing the child with epilepsy
to and what to do in an emergency situation, it may be necessary
that a teachers aid be requested for help for some activities.
(Epilepsy Australia, 2010)
Slide 16
Issues/Concerns Raised by Teachers Teachers need to be prepared
in their classroom if they have a child with epilepsy, they should
be looking for early warning signs to show if a seizure is about to
occur. One on the major problems for children with epilepsy is that
the teacher will think the child is day dreaming or not paying
attention in class, when really this is one of the symptoms before
an attack is going to occur. (Epilepsy Action Australia, 2008) Here
are some other concerns that teachers had when having children with
epilepsy in their classroom: What to do if a seizure occurs? When
or how often will a seizure occur? How will it affect the learning
of the child with epilepsy? How will it affect the other children
in the class? Who could be asked to help within the classroom? Will
alternate furniture need to be considered in the classroom layout?
Duty of Care-Being met by school and teacher Will the child be able
to participate in activities?
Slide 17
Integration within the Classroom Due to epilepsy being a
dysfunction within the brain different teaching strategies may need
to be applied within the classroom to ensure the needs of all
children are being met. Teachers can use many approaches for
children with epilepsy, so that they welcomed and comfortable
within the classroom whilst still participating actively. Assign
them a buddy or helper so that if any work is missed or
misunderstood they have someone to help them. Also useful for self
esteem and relationship building. Provide clear instructions.
Routine for daily school life. Provide information in a range of
ways e. Visual, verbal, technological and handouts. Offer
additional support to the child.
Slide 18
Reference List Elliot, I. (2005). Epilepsy: Impact on the Life
of the Child. Epilepsia, vol.2, page. 249-252. Retrieved from
www.epilepsy.com/articles. Retrieved 1st November 2010
www.epilepsy.com/articles. Epilepsy Australia. (2010) Epilepsy.
Retrieved from www.epilepsyaustralia.net/default. Retrieved 1st
November 2010www.epilepsyaustralia.net/default Epilepsy Action
Australia. (2008) Epilepsy. Retrieved from
www.epilepsy.org.au/interacting-with- epilepsy. Retrieved 1st
November 2010.www.epilepsy.org.au/interacting-with- epilepsy
Epilepsy. (2010) Epilepsy the facts. Retrieved from
www.epilepsy.com/101/treat101_whatnow. Retrieved 6th November
2010www.epilepsy.com/101/treat101_whatnow Epilepsy Foundation.
(2010) Epilepsy Treatment. Retrieved from
www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/medical/treatment. Retrieved
1st November 2010.
www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/medical/treatment General
Hospital Corporation. (2006) Growing up with Epilepsy. Retrieved
from www.massgeneral.org/childhoodepilepsy/child/family_life.
Retrieved 6th November 2010 Health Information Publication.
(2010)What causes epilepsy? Retrieved from
www.ehealthmd.com/library/epilepsy. Retrieved 1st November 2010
www.ehealthmd.com/library/epilepsy Hills, M. (2007). The
psychological and social impact of epilepsy. Journal of Neurology
Asia; vol. 12 page. 10-12. Retrieved from
http://neurologyasia.org/articles/2007. Retrieved 6th November
2010.http://neurologyasia.org/articles/2007 Mittan, R. (2010).
Epilepsy and Learning Disabilities Part 1: Diagnosing and Solving
School Learning Disabilities in Epilepsy. Exceptional Parent, vol.
40, n.8, page. 33-35. Retrieved from Education Research Complete
database. Retrieved 1 st November 2010. Westwood, P. (2009) What
teachers need to know about students with disabilities? Vic: ACER
Press, pages 55-57. Retrieved 6 th November 2010. World Health
Organisation. (2009) Epilepsy. Retrieved from
www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets. Retrieved 1st November
2010.www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets. Retrieved 1st November
2010 Activity
2-http://epilepsyclassroom.com/lessons/grades_5_8.aspxhttp://epilepsyclassroom.com/lessons/grades_5_8.aspx
Activity3-
www.epilepsytoronto.org/famouspeople.phpwww.epilepsytoronto.org/famouspeople.php
Slide 19
Activity Three-Guess Who Number one Born in Belgium in 1878. He
is known for applying bright paint very thickly in swirls/dashes.
He only sold one painting in his lifetime. His works include:
potato eaters, sunflowers and starry night. He cut off his ear in
distraught after a fight with one of his friends. Vincent Van Gogh
Number two Born 1958 Singer, songwriter and actor He has been known
under the unpronounceable symbol of love Wrote s song about his
condition called The Sacrifice of Victor. Prince Number three Born
1769 Corsica France Emperor of France Known as one of the greatest
military commanders of all time, and he conquered much of Europe
The Arc de Triomphe, centrepiece of Paris were built in commemorate
of his victories. Napoleon Number Four Born 1924 Russian Marxist
revolutionary Led the revolution in October in 1917 He was a
persuasive orator, political scientist, developed philosophical
ideals of Marxism. Vladimir Lenin