Today

Epilepsy: What Is It And What Can You Do?

By Alexandra Perez ('23)

The past month of November was Epilepsy Awareness Month, which means that people with epilepsy were celebrated for their bravery by sharing their stories.  Ambassadors for the Epilepsy Foundation were encouraged to raise awareness and start funds that go towards research to find a cure for Epilepsy. Well, what is epilepsy? Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes the electrical neurons in the brain to misfire resulting in a seizure. There are many known causes of Epilepsy such as a result of a genetic disorder, trauma, stroke or malformation in the brain, but it is widely unknown as to the exact cause for most people. One in every ten people will have a seizure at some point in their life, but one 1 in every twenty six people will be diagnosed with Epilepsy.  A seizure can happen to anyone at any age, at any time.  So it is just as important to know what to do for seizure first aid as it is CPR.  There are three key words to keep in mind if someone is having a seizure they are ‘stay, safe, side’. 

1. Stay -  Stay with the person the entire time they are having a seizure and remain calm.

2. Safe - Make sure they are in a safe location where they won’t fall or bump into any sharp objects.

3. Side - Put the person you are with on their side, if they are not awake or aware, do not put anything in their mouth, instead put something underneath their head for support. 

Most seizure disorders are controlled with medication, diet or surgery.  It can sometimes take months or even years for people to find the right medication or combination of medicine before they are seizure free.  However, seizure free, doesn’t mean Epilepsy free.  Once a person is seizure free, overtime, there is a possibility that they may be able to reduce medication. People who are well controlled and seizure free need to be aware of potential triggers and always do their best to reduce their risk of a seizure. They must take their medicine everyday at the same time, stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep, avoid head injuries, reduce stress, avoid flashing lights, and do not consume excess amounts of alcohol. Although someone with epilepsy may be seizure free, that doesn’t mean they don’t experience other side effects.  Side effects from medication and side effects from the disorder itself.  Most people with Epilepsy tend to experience episodes of zoning out, chills, headaches, memory issues, and have higher levels of stress and anxiety. Most people with Epilepsy can live long and healthy lives and manage their symptoms and condition, but there is a condition called SUDEP-sudden death in epilepsy that everyone needs to be aware of. Disney Channel actor and advocate, Cameron Boyce, suffered his first seizure when he was only 16. Unfortunately, they never found the right medication for him and he passed away from SUDEP.  His family continues to raise awareness through the, ‘The Cameron Boyce Foundation’ in his honor. Epilepsy Awareness month may be over, but the need to find a cure is still here.  Remember Seizure first aid and Stay, Safe, Sound. Remain active on social media and in your community everyone is going through something and it is our responsibility to take care of one another.