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Epilepsy
WHAT IS IT?
Epilepsy is neurological condition that produces seizures commonly described as having sporadic electrical storms in the brain.
Nerve cells within the brain communicate with other nerve cells via electrical signals.
When there is an interference with this communication it can result in having a Seizure or as some people know it as, an “Attack” or a “Fit”.
There are many different types of epilepsy. Most epilepsy is named by the type Epilepsy or the type of Seizure that a person has. Being told that someone has Epilepsy does not tell you much about their condition other than the fact that they may have frequent Seizures.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Epilepsy is usually only diagnosed after a person has had more than one Seizure. A singular Seizure may not be directly related to Epilepsy as there could be other factors to why a person has had that Seizure. This could be down to lack or sleep and life stressors etc.
If you have had more than one Seizure in a small amount of time it would be advisable to consult your Doctor.
There are more than 500,000 people in the UK alone who have Epilepsy.
That is around 1 in 130 people within the UK.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT?
INDIVIDUAL:
A person diagnosed with Epilepsy may feel that they are not able to do certain things that they would like to do because of restrictions due to have Epilepsy. This can result in the individual feeling depressed, becoming reclusive and having low self-esteem. Depending on the task or activity wanting to be performed by the individual with Epilepsy there may be a stipulation to performing certain activities/ tasks. This can range from, what type of Seizure the individual experiences, how frequent the Seizures were and what type of medication they may be taking.
Just because a person is diagnosed with Epilepsy, this does not mean that they will forever not be able to do the things they enjoy.
Family and friends:
May experience feelings of anxiety, unease and uncertainty about being with or without their loved one (the individual with Epilepsy). Not knowing if your loved one may have a Seizure when you are within their company or away from them can affect a person’s mental state.
Some may feel that they cannot cope with being around a loved one when they have a Seizure and other loved ones may not want to be away from the individual with Epilepsy’s side. This can instil guilt within the loved one.
CARERS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS:
People caring for an individual with Epilepsy may worry about the individual hurting themselves when a Seizure takes place. Some Carer’s and health Care professionals may not feel that they are correctly prepared to deal with an individual’s seizures and may have feelings or anxiety and panic.
HOW WE CAN HELP…
Our Carers have been trained in epilepsy and also have our collective experience within Epilepsy to ensure that they are delivering the best quality of Care.
Our management team and Carer’s have found that keeping a seizure diary can help the individual recognise when they may be “coming up” for another Seizure and what may trigger these seizures.
Because of this our management team and Carer’s can plan alongside the individual and their loved with regards to days out, shopping trips, activities, entertainment to name a few.
We have found that a change of diet and lifestyle can reduce the individual having Seizures (this wholly depends upon the individual’s dietary habits before we have started to provide Care for them).
Although you may feel as though you are suffering from Epilepsy, we Care for you as the person you are and not your condition. If a Seizure does occur our CDCA Care Team are fully trained in how and what to do. We can be there to help as little or as frequent as you wish.
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