EPILEPSY AWARENESS. A brief introduction to epilepsy

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1 EPILEPSY AWARENESS A brief introduction to epilepsy

2 EPILEPSY There are around 40 types of seizures and a person have more than one type of seizure. Epilepsy can affect anyone, at any age and from any walk of life. Over 400,000 people in the UK have epilepsy and about 50 million worldwide. Approximately 65,000 children in the UK have a diagnosis of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological condition. Epilepsy is covered by the Disability Discrimation Act.

3 What is epilepsy? Epilepsy is the tendency to have recurrent seizures, that start in the brain. The brain uses electrical signals passing between neurones to send messages. Our brain is the control centre. Interruption to these messages or a build up of electrical signals can lead to a seizure. What an individual experiences during a seizure will depend on where in the brain the epileptic activity begins and how widely and rapidly it spreads.

4 Types of seizures Focal/Partial As the name suggests the seizure starts in and affects just part of the brain. Simple focal seizure- the individual s consciousness is not impaired. Complex focal seizure- the individual s consciousness is impaired causing confusion and they may not remember the seizure afterwards. Both simple and complex seizures can present in many differing ways, depending on what part of the brain is affected. Can progress on to a generalised seizure. Generalised Generalised seizures start and occur in most of the brain, with loss of consciousness. Absence-child may stare blankly Myoclonic-involves short jerky movements Tonic-body will go stiff and the person will fall Atonic-loss of tone with a sudden drop to the ground Tonic clonic-body goes stiff, the person will fall and there is repetitive jerking

5 Treatment of epilepsy First line treatment for epilepsy is anti-epileptic medication Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are prescribed to stop seizures occuring. AEDs are not a cure for epilepsy. There are over 20 different medications, which come in tablets, capsules, liquids, syrups, sprinkles. Other treatments include: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Ketogenic Diet Surgery Complimentary medicine

6 Seizure Management Tonic Clonic Note the time Support and protect head Loosen tight clothing particularly around neck Move objects away from area Monitor airway Keep talking/reassuring Do not restrain movements Do not put anything in mouth Do not move unless in immediate danger At the end of the seizure place in recovery position or on side Non convulsive Note the time Talk quietly/gently Guide/maintain safety Do not restrain or hold on to the person, unless in immediate danger (roads, stairs, kitchen areas etc) Do not raise your voice Allow time to recover and orientate back to activity

7 Emergency Services It is not always necessary to call an ambulance. However, the emergency services should be called if: It is the person s first seizure The seizure lasts 2 minutes longer than usual A tonic clonic seizure lasts more than 5 minutes The person is having repeated seizures without regaining consciousness in between An injury has occurred You are concerned about breathing difficulties You have a care plan instructing you to do so

8 Additional training A school will require additional training for children who have emergency medication prescribed to be given during a seizure. Please contact your school nurse if a child in your school has emergency medication and you have not received training for this. They will then ask the Specialist Nurse to train the school staff. If you have a child in your school with a diagnosis of epilepsy who does not have emergency medication, but you are concerned about how best to support them please liaise with your school nurse, who can support you directly.

9 Useful Websites Epilepsy Action Epilepsy Society National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy

10 Cornwall Nursing Support for children and young people with epilepsy Lucy Brewer, Paediatric Epilepsy Nurse Specialist sees infants and children from 28 days to 18 years old Heather Sullivan and Caryn Jory, Epilepsy Nurse Specialists who see children who have a learning disability and epilepsy heather.sullivan@cft.cornwall.nhs.uk caryn.jory@cft.cornwall.nhs.uk Mary Parrett, Sapphire Epilepsy Nurse Specialist (Adult) working at Treliske Hospital who sees teenagers during transition and some children mary.parrett@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk

11 Questions/Tasks Name 3 types of treatment for epilepsy? What part of the brain is affected by epileptic activity during an absence seizure? Epilepsy is a neurological disease-true or false? Name 2 things you should not do if a person is having a tonic clonic seizure? In what type of seizure is the person s consciousness not impaired or lost?