EPILEPSY
Definition"Epilepsy is a neurological condition which affects the nervous system. Epilepsy is also known as a seizure disorder. It is usually diagnosed after a person has had at least two seizures that were not caused by some known medical condition." (Epilepsy Foundation, (n.d.))
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(Epilepsy Smart Schools - "My Story", 2012)
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Facts and Statistics
- 65 million people around the world have epilepsy
- Between 2.2 and 3 million people in the United States have epilepsy
- 1 in 26 people in the United States will develop epilepsy at some point
- Between 5 and 8 out of 1,000 people in the United States live with epilepsy at any one time
- 150,000 people are diagnosed with epilepsy in the United States each year
- About 1 out of 3 people with epilepsy live with uncontrolled seizures because no available treatment works for them
- For 6 out of 10 people with epilepsy, the cause of epilepsy is unknown (Epilepsy Foundation, (n.d.))
- Stroke is the leading cause of epilepsy in adults 35 or older (Epilepsy, 2014)
- At least half of all people newly diagnosed with epilepsy will become seizure-free with their first medication (Epilepsy, 2014)
- Epilepsy is one of the most common conditions affecting the brain
- The total indirect and direct cost of epilepsy in the US is estimated to be $15.5 billion yearly (based on a reported cost of $12.5 billion in 1995 converted to 2004 dollar value) (Epilepsy Fast Facts, 2014)
CausesIn about 50% of the cases of Epilepsy there are no identifiable causes. In the other 50% there are various factors.
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Common Triggers
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CharacteristicsEpilepsy can affect any process your brain coordinates. Some signs and symptoms include:
(Epilepsy, 2014) |
Risk Factors
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Diagnosis
Pediatric Epilepsy Consultation
Other ways to monitor for Epilepsy
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Two Types of SiezuresPrimary Generalized Seizures
"Primary generalized seizures begin with a widespread electrical discharge that involves both sides of the brain at once. Hereditary factors are important in many of these seizures." (Schachter, S., 2013) There are six different types of generalized seizures Absence seizures This type os seizure is most common is children and cause a brief loss of awareness. These seizures may occur in clusters. If someone is having an absence seizure they usually stare into space or have subtle body movements (eye blinking or lip smacking). Tonic seizures This type of seizure causes your muscles to stiffen. The muscles that are most commonly affected are the back muscles, arm muscles, and legs muscles. If this occurs the person having the seizure may fall to the ground. Atonic seizures (drop seizures) This type of seizure causes a loss of muscle control. This causes the person to suddenly collapse or fall down. Clonic seizures This type of seizures are associated with repeated or rhythmic, jerking muscle movements. This type of seizure usually affects the neck, face, and arms. Myoclonic seizures This type of seizure appear as sudden brief jerks or twitches of your arms and legs. Tonic-clonic seizures This type of seizure is the most severe type of seizure. Someone experiencing this type of seizure abruptly lose consciousness of their body, their body stiffens and shakes, and it could cause a loss of bladder control or they could bite their tongue. (Epilepsy, 2014) Partial Seizures/Focal Seizures "Partial seizures begin with an electrical discharge in one limited area of the brain. Many different things can cause partial seizures, for example head injury, brain infection, stroke, tumor, or changes in the way an area of the brain was formed before birth (called cortical dysplasias). Many times, no known cause is found, but genetic factors may be important in some partial seizures." (Schachter, S., 2013) There are two different types of partial seizures Focal seizures without loss of consciousness (simple partial seizures) These seizures do not cause loss of consciousness. However, they alter emotions or change the way things look, smell, feel, taste, or sound. This type of seizure may also cause involuntary jerking of the body and spontaneous sensory symptoms (tingling, dizziness, and flashing lights). Focal dyscognitive seizures (complex partial seizures) These seizure cause loss of consciousness or awareness. During a complex partial seizure, the person may stare into space and not respond normally to the environment. They could also perform repetitive movements (hand rubbing, chewing, swallowing, or walking in circles). (Epilepsy, 2014) |
Current NewsMissouri issues licenses to grow hemp for epilepsy patients
"JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (AP) -- A cannabis extract that some parents believe may help treat seizures experienced by their children with epilepsy may be available in Missouri this year.The Columbia Daily Tribune reports the Missouri Department of Agriculture last week issued permits for two companies to grow cannabis under a state law allowing some epilepsy patients to obtain an extract from cannabis plants. The extract legalized in Missouri must have low amounts of the high-producing chemical tetrahydrocannabinol , or THC, and high amounts of cannabidiol, or CBD, which is the component parents believe helps ease seizures. Families have moved to Colorado and other states where the CBD extract is available to their children with epilepsy. One of the growers licensed by the state says the CBD extract may be available by September." (Missouri issues licenses to grow hemp for epilepsy patients, 2015) Va. governor signs law allowing marijuana oil for epilepsy treatment "A Virginia bill that would decriminalize a liquid, non-intoxicating form or marijuana to treat severe epilepsy was signed into law by Governor Terry McAuliffe on Thursday. Virginia becomes the 12th state in the past year to approve use of the marijuana oil, known as cannabidiol, as a treatment for severe epilepsy, according to the Washington-based pro-marijuana group NORML. McAuliffe, a Democrat, announced the signing on his Twitter account. Allen St. Pierre, NORML's executive director, called the signing "farcical" since Virginia, like other states that have approved use of the oil, has no legal cultivation of marijuana and thus no way to produce it. Federal law also bars transport of the oil across state lines, he said." (Simpson, I, 2015) |
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)
Some people living with Epilepsy SUDEP is a major concern. SUDEP refers to the deaths in people that are not caused by injury, drowning, or other known causes. There are about 1 case of SUDEP for every 1,000 people with epilepsy. Most cases of SUDEP occur during or immediately after a seizure occurs. The exact case is not known, but some possible reasons are breathing (during a seizure there is pauses in breathing), heart rhythm (the seizure may cause a dangerous hearth rhythm), other causes and mixed causes (could be caused by both breathing difficulty and abnormal heart rhythm).
(Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), 2014)
(Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), 2014)
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Treatment
Katogenic diet: a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that mimics the fasting state has been discovered to improve seizures in children with epilepsy. In this diet, the body breaks down fats instead of carbohydrates for energy. (Epilepsy, 2014) |
Future Treatments
- Laser thermal ablation: doctors make a small hole in the back of the patients skull and guide the laser-tipped thin tube (catheter) into their skull to the ares of the brain that is causing the seizures. Light energy is then directed through the catheter to heat and destroy tissue the the area of the brain that is causing the seizures.
- Implantable brain stimulation devices: neurosurgeons implant electrodes into a part of the brain that is causing seizures. The electrodes are connected to a generator implanted in the patients chest of the skull that sends electrical pulses to the patients brain and may reduce the seizures.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery: doctos direct radiation at the part of the brain that is causing seizures
Adaptations
Accommodations:
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Modifications:
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Scenarios1. There is a student in the classroom who has been diagnosed with Epilepsy. It has been discovered that the student has Tonic-clonic seizures, meaning the student loses consciousness of their body during seizures. The triggers have not been determined for this student yet. In order to adapt for this student in the classroom you should monitor and observe what occurred in the classroom before the seizure occurred to help determine the triggers that could cause the seizures. The class should be aware of seizures and what to do if one happens. The student should be sitting in the classroom away from bookshelves and other things that could topple easily. When a seizure happens react immediately and move the desks, chairs, and anything else away from the student. Carefully move the student to their side, but do not restrict the student in away way. Time the seizure in order to help doctors and loosen any tight clothing. Once the seizure has finished allow the student time to rest because they will become tired.
2. There is a student in the classroom who has been diagnosed with Epilepsy. This student is on the Katogenic diet and it has been helping control the seizures. In order to adapt for this student the cafeteria makes this student a special lunch in order to meet the guidelines of the diet. |
Resources for Families
- http://www.epilepsy.com/start-here/diagnosis-101 - This website has a lot of information about Epilepsy. It also has ways you can get help (such as a 24/7 hotline), ways to make a difference in the epilepsy community, and ways to connect to the epilepsy community.
- http://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/index.html - This website offers lots of information for the families to read. It also offers research, statics, and many more useful information.
- https://www.aesnet.org - This website offers information on epilepsy. It also offers meetings and events that relate to epilepsy. Lastly, it offers lots of research behind the disability.
- http://www.charliefoundation.org - This website offers lots of information on Ketogenic Therapies. This is useful for families that want to learn more about this treatment path.
- http://www.siblingsupport.org - This website offers information on how to support the siblings of a disabled child. This is not just for epilepsy, but it is still important to understand how the siblings can be supported as well as how the siblings can support their brother or sister.
Camp OZ
Camp Oz is a camp where children living with epilepsy can attend. This camp is located in Minnesota at the YMCA Camp in St. Croix, near Hudson, WI. At this camp there are RN's on site 24 hours a day, as well as physicians, psychologists, a neurologist, and pharmacists. All of the staff are trained in seizure recognition and response. At the camp the campers are encouraged to participate in swimming, horseback riding, all-camp games, archery, crafts, rock wall climbing, camp fires, and much more. There are many scholarships and sponsorships available for campers in order to make camp affordable. This year Camp OZ will run Sunday, June 14-Friday, June 19, 2015. (Camp Oz, 2015)
Children's Books:
- The Great Katie Kate Explains Epilepsy by: M. Maitland DeLand
- My Daddy Has Epilepsy by: Stacey Chillemi
- Epilepsy: The Ultimate Teen Guide by: Kathlyn Gay and Sean McGarrahan
- Becky the Brave: A Story about Epilepsy by: A. Whitman
- Let's Talk about Epilepsy by: Melanie Apel Gordon
Simulations
http://www.charge.org.uk/neural/neural4.html
http://www.charge.org.uk/neural/neural3.html
http://www.charge.org.uk/neural/neural3.html
(Ilett, D., 2014)
References
Camp Oz. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.epilepsyfoundationmn.org/programs/youth/camp-oz/
Epilepsy. (2014, November 22). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/diagnosis-treatment/diagnosis/dxc-20117234
Epilepsy. (2014, November 22). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20117241
Epilepsy. (2014, November 22). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/dxc-20117207
Epilepsy Fast Facts. (2014, September 15). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/basics/fast-facts.htm
Epilepsy Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.epilepsy.com/start-here/introduction-epilepsy
Epilepsy Smart Schools - "My Story" (2012, October 30). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxz64q6zVPo
Ilett, D. (2014, October 17). Epilepsy Simulator 2014 - 2-Week Challenge. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqt_cbwx9Io
Missouri issues licenses to grow hemp for epilepsy patients. (2015, March 1). Retrieved from http://www.connecttristates.com/news/story.aspx?id=1171231#.VPMv60KW7EU
Schachter, S. (2013, November). Types of Seizures (J. Sirven, Ed.). Retrieved from http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures
Schachter, S., Shafer, P., & Sirven, J. (2014, March). Epilepsy Foundation (J. Sirven & P. Shafer, Eds.). Retrieved from http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures
Simpson, I. (2015, February 26). Va. governor signs law allowing marijuana oil for epilepsy treatment (B. Trott, Ed.). Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/26/us-usa-marijuana-virginia-idUSKBN0LU2EL20150226
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). (2014, October 2). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/basics/sudep/index.htm
Epilepsy. (2014, November 22). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/diagnosis-treatment/diagnosis/dxc-20117234
Epilepsy. (2014, November 22). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20117241
Epilepsy. (2014, November 22). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/dxc-20117207
Epilepsy Fast Facts. (2014, September 15). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/basics/fast-facts.htm
Epilepsy Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.epilepsy.com/start-here/introduction-epilepsy
Epilepsy Smart Schools - "My Story" (2012, October 30). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxz64q6zVPo
Ilett, D. (2014, October 17). Epilepsy Simulator 2014 - 2-Week Challenge. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqt_cbwx9Io
Missouri issues licenses to grow hemp for epilepsy patients. (2015, March 1). Retrieved from http://www.connecttristates.com/news/story.aspx?id=1171231#.VPMv60KW7EU
Schachter, S. (2013, November). Types of Seizures (J. Sirven, Ed.). Retrieved from http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures
Schachter, S., Shafer, P., & Sirven, J. (2014, March). Epilepsy Foundation (J. Sirven & P. Shafer, Eds.). Retrieved from http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures
Simpson, I. (2015, February 26). Va. governor signs law allowing marijuana oil for epilepsy treatment (B. Trott, Ed.). Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/26/us-usa-marijuana-virginia-idUSKBN0LU2EL20150226
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). (2014, October 2). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/basics/sudep/index.htm