Today I was asked to discuss an illness that an avid reader of mine is suffering from. She is hoping it brings awareness to our community as well as hope for others who may be experiencing the same, and now know that they are not alone.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that affects people of any age. It is also known as a seizure disorder. While anyone can develop it, epilepsy is more common in males than females.
Epilepsy is mostly characterized by seizures which are abnormal movements and behaviours caused by unusual electrical activity in the brain. They are typically recurrent, unprovoked and come in many forms. A mild seizure may be difficult to identify and may only last a few seconds. While seizures are usually unprovoked, there are a few triggers that may increase the chances of one. These include lack of sleep, poor diet, fever, high stress or anxiety, caffeine or drug use and bright or flashing lights.

However, it is important to note that not everyone who experiences seizures has epilepsy. High fevers, drug withdrawal, low blood sugar and head trauma can also cause seizures. This is why it is important to go to your nearest health centre to determine the cause.

Other symptoms of epilepsy include:
– Short blackouts, memory loss or confusion
– Repeated fainting
– Loss of bladder control
– Repeated blinking
– Repeated movements
– Extreme tiredness
– Low motor control or stiffness
– Inability to communicate – this tends to especially happen just before seizures
– Irritability, anger, aggressiveness- also tends to happen just before a seizure

Having reoccurring seizures can take a serious toll on someone’s life- affecting them physically, mentally and socially. Seizures can cause physical damage to the body, especially if they occur when the individual is standing, driving, cooking and so on. Those with epilepsy typically have learning difficulties and behavioural problems. The effect these can have on relationships, work-life as well as the stigma attached can cause various forms of anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

However, in Guyana, I believe the lack of knowledge and understanding of the disorder causes more challenges to the individual than the symptoms itself. My eyes opened to this my first month returning and working in our community. Two frustrated parents brought their five-year-old child into Georgetown Public Hospital. They explained to my boss (who I was shadowing) that their son is ‘unruly’ and ‘never listens’. They claimed that they would tell him to do something and instead of doing it, he would suck his teeth and turn his head. They took this as insubordination and would lose patience and hit the child.

They believed it would ‘help him listen’. After a full examination, my boss said to the parents that the child had epilepsy and he turning his head and sucking his teeth was a form of seizure. That day (and still now) I wondered how many other families are suffering and hoped that they would all reach out for help.
There are various causes of epilepsy and seizures. Like anything else, there is a genetic component. One is more likely to develop Epilepsy if other family members have already developed it. Head trauma/injuries, infectious diseases such as AIDS, prenatal injuries and developmental disorders such as autism increase the risk of epilepsy. Underlying brain injuries and conditions such as strokes or tumours can also cause the condition.

Epilepsy cannot be cured but rather effectively treated. The best course is prescription medication and weekly counselling. The medication is to lower and control the seizures while the counselling helps with the subsequent consequences of the disorder. If medications are ineffective, surgery is sometimes necessary to lower seizures.
Certain diets have been proven to improve the overall health of the affected individual. The Ketogenic is often recommended for children with epilepsy, especially if they have frequent seizures. This involved high fats but low carbohydrates. For the older generation with epilepsy, the Atkins diet is recommended.

A beneficial behavioural change would be to keep a seizure journal. This really helps to identify one’s triggers and lowers the possibility of seizures. Keep a note of when a seizure happens, what you were doing just before, how much you slept. A helpful pattern will return.
Every treatment is individualistic and depends on the person’s age, family history, medical history and overall health. In 2013, researches from the UK determined that those with epilepsy live an average of 11 years less than the general population.

Below is some important information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the event that someone may be having a seizure around you.

Do’s
* Ease the person to the floor.
* Turn the person gently onto one side. This will help the person breathe.
* Clear the area around the person of anything hard or sharp. This can prevent injury.
* Put something soft and flat, like a folded jacket, under his or her head.
* Remove eyeglasses if wearing
* Loosen ties or anything around the neck that may make it hard to breathe.
* Time the seizure. Go to the hospital if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes.

Don’t’s
* Do not hold the person down or try to stop his or her movements.
* Do not put anything in the person’s mouth. This can injure teeth or the jaw. A person having a seizure cannot swallow his or her tongue.
* Do not try to give mouth-to-mouth breaths (like CPR). People usually start breathing again on their own after a seizure.
* Do not offer the person water or food until he or she is fully alert.

If you feel like you or a family member might be suffering from epilepsy, please go into your nearest health centre. If you have any other condition for which you would like to spread awareness, please write in and let me know!

Thank you for reading and please send in any topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com.
If you are interested in personal counselling sessions, please WhatsApp me in +592 623 0433
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