The LIGHT Center, T-90, College of the Redwoods (476-4290) - September 18, 2000

Well, not any longer. Epilepsy was once thought to be caused by demons, making life very difficult for those inflicted. Today we have more knowledge about the problem, though life is not much easier for those who have the disorder. Epilepsy itself is not a disease. It is a symptom of an underlying neurological problem. Brain cells communicate with one another by means of electrical signals which travel from one cell to another. When there is an abnormality in the electrical charge, a seizure can occur. It is the seizure that most people associate with epilepsy. Epilepsy can occur at any age, however 50% of known cases begin before the age of 10. It seems to be culture related, with some cultures having a lower seizure threshold than other cultures. For example, Tanzania has one of the highest incidence of severe seizure disorders, while Canada has one of the lowest.

While seizures are the most common characteristic of this disorder, they are not uniform. There are as many as 30 varieties of seizures, with the most common ones being referred to as "grand mal" and "petit mal". Partial and Generalized have recently replaced these terms.

This is the most common type of seizure, comprising 62% of all epilepsy cases. A partial seizure results in the individual experiencing a range of unusual sensations including sudden jerky movements of body parts, distortion in hearing or vision. It can also result in a foreboding sense of fear. If the problem is limited to these types of experiences they are termed Simple-Partial. However, if the symptoms are then followed by another type of seizure, the odd sensations are considered to be an aura, or a precursor to an impending, more serious seizure. Other partial seizures include:

Complex-Partial- complicated motor acts involving impaired consciousness. Individual appears dazed and confused, mumbles, paces etc.

Absence- this involves 5-15 second lapses in consciousness. Individual appears to stare into space.

Mono-tonic-This is a generalized convulsion with two phases. The tonic phase involves the loss of consciousness, while the clonic phase involves the jerking and twitching of legs and arms.

There is a variety of other types of generalized seizures including Atonic, Myclonic, Infantile Spasms, Nocturnal, Photosensitive, Visual, Musicogenic, Jacksonian, Sensory, Bilateral Myclonus, Atkinetic, Autonomic, Prolonged and Ictal State.

Finally, it should be noted that there are seizures not associated with Epilepsy. Low blood sugar, migraines, stress, stroke, fainting, substance withdrawal and blood problems can bring these on.

For more than 60% of all cases of epilepsy, there is no known cause. For the remaining cases, there are some frequently identified causes:

• Head Trauma causing scaring of brain tissue,
• Trauma at birth, high fever,
• Rough Handling of Infants,
• Toxic substances and drugs,
• Interruption of blood flow including stroke, tumor,
• Damage to nerve cells of the brain.

The long-term effects of seizures are a topic of continued study. The most common lasting symptom is a significant decrease in long and short term memory functioning.

For most persons having a seizure, no medical care is required other than preventing secondary injury. These procedures should be followed:

1. Keep calm. Let the seizure run its course.
2. Ease the person to the floor and loosen clothing.
3. Remove sharp, hard, or hot objects. Place a pillow under the head.
4. Turn the person on their side.
5. Do NOT put anything in the person’s mouth.
6. Allow the person to rest after the seizure.
7. Accompany the person to a safe location after the seizure.

Please send any comments to trish-blair@redwoods.edu

Quotation of the Week
Duct tape is like the force.
It has a light side, a dark side,
and it holds the universe together...."
- Carl Zwanzig