Featured Condtion/Disease: Epilepsy

We are featuring a childhood/infant disease or condition informational post every other Friday.  Today's topic is Epilesy.

Definition

Epilepsy is a condition of the brain that makes children have recurring seizures. A seizure is caused by a sudden change in the brain's normal electrical activity (similar to the way the lights flickering in a house because power lines are shaken during a storm). The brain uses electricity, too, and can be interrupted briefly.
Seizures can look very different. Some children have just one type of seizure, others more than one type. Some ways a seizure can affect a child:
  • Causing a short time during which the child can't use one of the senses (ability to taste, feel, see, hear or smell).
  • Causing a child to go unconscious for a short time or just sit staring into space for a time.
  • Causing convulsions.
While seizures are a part of having epilepsy, having a single seizure doesn't mean a person has epilepsy. High fevers can trigger seizures that go away when a child's temperature goes down.
Epilepsy is not a mental disorder. Nor does epilepsy generally worsen with time. Sometimes epilepsy goes away after several years. Despite most often being a chronic condition, children can live normal lives with the help of anticonvulsant medications (anti-seizure drugs).

Signs

Seizures are the main sign of epilepsy. A child with a seizure might:
  • Seem to be daydreaming or not paying attention.
  • Suddenly stop while talking or doing something and stare with a blank face, followed by rolling eyes and fluttering eyelids.
  • Suddenly go stiff (especially the arms and legs).
  • Make a crying sound.
  • Have increased saliva (drooling).
  • Shake a leg/arm or whole body repeatedly, with or without blacking out.
  • In extreme cases stop breathing.
After the seizure your child may have many different reactions:
  • May feel sleepy and confused, or upset.
  • Have a headache.
  • Feel sick to stomach (nausea) or throw up (vomit).
  • May slur speech or be hard to understand for a little while.
More Information

To get more information about Epilepsy, click here.

*Most of the information provided here is from the Teach More/Love More site, click here to visit their site.

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If you are 60 years old or older and without prescription drug coverage or who fall into the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage gap; or under age 60, without prescription drug coverage, and with an annual family income of less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level you may use this program. Qualifying incomes include those below the following:


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