November is Epilepsy Awareness Month. Approximately 50 million people worldwide are affected by this condition. Yes. It is a condition, not a disease. However mysterious, it represents a change in lifestyle for all of these people.
I am an Epilepsy Advocate. Did you know that every one of us has a seizure threshhold? An estimated 1 out of 10 people will have a single seizure at some time during their life. However, more than half of the cases of epilepsy are idiopathic or have no identifiable origin. Many are believed to be genetic.
Be aware! Even if you do not know anyone with this condition, you might witness or be called upon to administer first aid to someone having a seizure. Learn seizure first aid. It's easy...
PLEASE... do not put anything in the person's mouth
(they CANNOT swallow their tongue ...a myth);
do not give the person anything to drink
do not restrain or hold the person down
DO...
- If the person has a warning, it is best to get him or her to a safe place like sitting in a chair or lying on the floor.
- Once the seizure starts, turn the person to one side.
- If you can't turn the person, try to turn the head to one side or turn the person as soon as the seizure is over.
- Look for medical identification jewelry.
- Loosen tight clothing around the neck. Remove eyewear.
- Move hard objects, like chairs, out of the way.
- If you can, put something soft - a pillow, your hand, etc. under the person's head.
- Stay with the person until the seizure is over, and he or she is fully recovered.
For more information: www.epilepsyfoundation.org
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