November is Epilepsy Awareness Month

Understanding Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that 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 (or after one seizure with a high risk for more) that were not caused by some known medical condition. Is estimated that nearly 65 million people worldwide currently live with epilepsy, which can affect any person at any age in their lifetime.  New cases of epilepsy are more commonly diagnosed children and usually within the first year of their life.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, 1-in-10 people will experience a seizure throughout their life, and 1-in-26 will develop epilepsy.  Epilepsy is a relatively common disorder, but there is very little understanding in the grand scheme of things.  Though there are treatments and medications available to patients diagnosed with epilepsy , a person will live with the condition forever. The goal of medicine is to decrease the frequency of seizures.

Seizure First Aid
Knowing how to respond in the event that someone has a seizure is just as important as knowing CPR. Seizures occur when abnormal electric signals from the brain change the way the body functions. There are many different types of seizures, which may cause anything from convulsions, muscle spasms, brief or prolonged loss of consciousness, strange sensations and emotions, and/or abnormal behaviors. Seizures can be triggered by an isolated incident such as high fever, infection, exposure to toxin, and metabolic abnormalities like hypoglycemia, but are frequently evidence of an underlying medical condition.

Seeing someone collapse and seize can be frightening, but there are simple steps to take to provide a safer environment when it happens.  For most seizures, basic seizure first aid is all that is needed. The steps are simple - Stay. Safe. Side.

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To the following organizations are great resources for families looking to get more information about epilepsy.

 Epilepsy Foundation:  https://epilepsywdc.org/
Cure Epilepsy: http://www.cureepilepsy.org/
International League Against Epilepsy https:www.ilae.org/