Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease characterized by transient central nervous system malfunction caused by repeated abnormal discharges of neurons in the brain due to various causes, and is also known as “goat horns” or “sheep epilepsy” by the people. According to the latest epidemiological data in China, the overall prevalence of epilepsy in China is 7.0‰, the annual incidence rate is 28.8/100,000, and the prevalence of active epilepsy with seizures within 1 year is 4.6‰. Accordingly, it is estimated that there are about 9 million epilepsy patients in China, of which 5-6 million are active epilepsy patients, while about 400,000 new epilepsy patients are added every year. Epilepsy has become the second most common disease after headache in neurology in China.
The clinical manifestations of epileptic seizures are complex and varied due to the different starting sites and delivery modes of abnormal discharges, which can manifest as seizure motor, sensory, autonomic, consciousness and mental disorders. The causes of epilepsy are diverse. After regular antiepileptic drug treatment, about 70% of patients with epilepsy can have their seizures controlled, and 50% to 60% of them can be cured after 2 to 5 years of treatment, and the patients can work and live like normal people. First aid measures for seizures
Patients with aura seizures should promptly inform their family members or people around them, and help the patient to bed when available.
Quickly remove the surrounding hard objects and sharp objects to reduce the damage to the body during the seizure.
Keep the airway open: unbutton the patient’s clothes, tie, trouser belt, so that his head to the side and jaw slightly forward; with movable dentures, remove the dentures; before the patient’s mouth is tightly closed, quickly roll the handkerchief, gauze, etc. into a volume, from the patient’s mouth side between the upper and lower molars into the dental pad, to prevent bite tongue when the teeth are tightly closed; teeth tightly closed, with gauze wrapped tongue depressor placed between the upper and lower molars to prevent lip If the teeth are closed, place a gauze tongue depressor between the upper and lower molars to prevent lip and tongue bites.
Seizures can generally resolve themselves within 5 minutes. In case of continuous or frequent seizures, the patient should be taken to hospital quickly.
The contraindications in seizure first aid
1. Limit seizures. When the patient is convulsing, do not press hard or try to restore the patient’s convulsing limbs to straightness so as not to cause injuries such as ligament tears, joint dislocations, or even fractures.
2. Move the patient. When a patient with epilepsy suddenly falls to the ground with a seizure, you should first move things around the patient that may cause injury, but not move the patient unless the patient is in danger.
Some people force wooden chopsticks or spoons into the patient’s mouth to prevent the patient from biting his or her tongue. This may cause the patient’s teeth to break and loosen, and if the patient wears dentures, forcibly prying open the patient’s tightly closed mouth may also cause the dentures to fall out and accidentally enter the respiratory tract.
4, splashed with cold water, press the human middle, prick with a needle. Some people who see a patient having a seizure think that splashing with cool water can make them awake, but the stimulation of cool water may cause the patient’s symptoms to become more severe.
Self-management of epilepsy patients
Avoid triggers for your condition and communicate and discuss with your doctor what treatment is best for you. Epilepsy doesn’t have to mean a huge change in life, and it’s important to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle like every normal person does. As a person with epilepsy, here are some small steps you can take.
1. Take your medication on time
One of the major reasons seizures are not well controlled is because patients do not take their medications on time. The medication is cleared out of the body within a certain period of time. If you forget to take the medication, the concentration of the medication in the body is not enough to control the seizures.
2. Ensure adequate sleep
Lack of sleep may increase the risk of seizures, especially in patients with generalized epilepsy. It is recommended to maintain regular sleep, enough rest, and depending on the age, it is best to ensure between 7 and 10 hours of sleep.
3. Try to control workload and stress
Stress can cause seizures. Some activities can help reduce stress, such as taking time to make some treats for yourself, family and friends.
4. Stay active
If you have epilepsy, some high-risk sports are not recommended, such as mountain climbing, skydiving, gliding and diving. Recreational activities and sports are highly recommended. There are many activities to participate in and opportunities to meet new people. If the control is good and you are comfortable with your treatment plan, then participating in some sports will not have any effect.
5. Avoid stimulation
You should avoid triggers such as coffee, alcohol or drugs and noise that can cause seizures in particular. Excessive intake of alcohol can be neurotoxic and affect the normal way of sleeping, which can lead to seizures. Some medications can also interfere with the effectiveness of epilepsy medications, which can increase the risk of seizures. Be sure to inform your specialist if you are taking other medications, or have other medical conditions.
6. Regular follow-up visits
If you notice anything unusual, visit your specialist for a check-up. Also tell your doctor about factors that you think may be affecting your condition and that they may be triggers for your attacks. You can make a note of any issues you want to discuss.