You may have heard of Epilepsy, seizures occurred due to bursts of electrical activity affects the brain temporarily. It can occur at any point in life, though common cases are seen in childhood or people above 60 years old.
Common symptoms:
Uncontrollable jerk/shaking
Losing awareness
Stiff
Collapsing
Know the right facts!
87 people are diagnosed with Epilepsy every day and you can imagine how important it is to know the right facts and alert your loved ones.
MYTH 1: Epilepsy is rare
Fact 1: Epilepsy is NOT rare and can be a killer at worse cases
- Around 60 million people with epilepsy in the world
- Over 500,000 people in the UK have epilepsy
- Death rates increased by 70% according to figures from Public Health England in 2018
MYTH 2: You are sure to have epilepsy when you shake and jerk (convulse)
Fact 2: Seizures vary depending on individual and where in the brain they affect
- Not all seizures involve convulsion
- There are over 40 types of seizure and each can affect people differently
MYTH 3: Flashing lights cause seizures to everyone in epilepsy
Fact 3: Only 3% of affected people will be affected by flashing lights (photosensitive epilepsy)
- Triggers for epilepsy are different according to individuals
- Common triggers: stress, lack of sleep, alcohol
MYTH 4: You can restrain someone during a seizure and put a finger in their mouths during a convulsive seizure
Fact 4: That is inappropriate
- Never hold someone down
- Never put anything in their mouths
Here are ‘Whats’ and ‘Hows’ to deal with Epilepsy
- When a seizure occurs, gently cushion their head with something soft if they collapsed to the ground
- Do not move them! Only do so when they are near dangerous spots such as roadside
- Note the duration the seizure starts and finishes
- Stay by them and talk calmly to them
- When the seizure stops, gently move them into the recovery position (Find out more here: https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/step-step-recovery-position#.XQdp8IhKg2w)
- Call the ambulance when the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes!
