Anyway, today I'm continuing my gist on seizures. You can click here for the part 1 of this article, and learn what we have learnt earlier. Now I'll just give points on other things you need to know about seizures. Please read and comment.
- · Seizures can be triggered by fever, so it is important to treat fever immediately, especially for a child prone to seizures. Please if your child has a fever; bathe the child with cold water. I can testify that it reduces the fever and prevents seizures. I learnt it at the seminar, and I believe it strongly. This is good for any child, even if the child has never had a seizure before.
- It is important to keep records of your child/ward’s seizures. This is important for diagnosis and treatment. Your record should include the time the seizure occurred, how the seizure began, how long the seizure lasted, the kind of movements that accompanied the seizure, if the child felt any warning signs, whether the child is sick, tired or stress. Record whatever else may be of concern to you.
- Seizures can occur as a result of some medical problems, such as head injury, infection or health problem in the brain, brain tumor, low blood sugar, accidental poisoning, or drug overdose. This is why it is important to see a doctor before starting any medication. Please I don’t know if I can beg you enough, but please don’t do self medication. See a doctor.
- · At the seminar, we were told that epilepsy does not affect IQ, although some people that have epilepsy may have average or low IQ. But it can affect learning. Depending on the frequency of the seizures, some children miss school often. The doctor advised that extra lessons, classes can be provided to help the child level up with the other classmates. This applies even to a child under Special Education.
- · Before you say Adelola mentioned only EEG, I need to add that the neurologist may also order for a CT (Computerized tomography) scan or MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) test. These help in diagnosis as well.
- · Epilepsy is NOT contagious. The fact that you help a person with seizures does not mean you will have one or you will have children who are epileptic. Please do not let superstition stop you from being your brother’s keeper.
- · In Nigeria, certain cultures have dangerous approaches to dealing with seizures. I heard of a child in Ile-Ife, Osun State, whose feet were badly burnt because her family had tried to use fire to stop her seizures. Please do not use fire to burn your child’s feet. We said earlier that you should not put objects in the child’s mouth during seizures. It does not help in any way; rather you may end up spoiling the child’s teeth, or even harming the child.
- · I’m afraid that I also have to add that there have been cases of death as a result of seizures/epilepsy. That is why it is important to take the cautions that have been stated in the previous article; loosen any clothing around the neck, turn the person to the side to avoid choking and don’t put any object in the person’s mouth.
- · And most importantly, I must say that epilepsy does not stop the child’s life. The boy with seizures that I met is just like any other child on the spectrum. He loves to be loved. He has fun just like the other kids. Although he knows that he’s on medication unlike the other children, so he needs to sit down and take his drugs. That does not stop him from standing up afterwards and going to play. The seizures scare us, but we love him all the same. Love your child and let that love drive you to seek help for him/her.
I love
you, I love your child... And together we will fight the limitations of autism
or any other disorder. *muah*
I would appreciate comments. Please read, comment, and share. Thank you.
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