Marcu 22, 2005

Epilepsy Demystified Man-Sum Yau Production Manager

March is the month for raising awareness of the disorder that affects more than twice the number of people with cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy combined in Canada. Although epilepsy is not an uncommon neurological disorder with an estimated 15,500 new cases reported each year and an average of 42 people learning that they have epilepsy each day in Canada! alone, many myths and misconceptions have enshrouded this neurological disorder for many, many years.

Caused by the brief interruption of normal brainwaves, epilepsy is characterized by seizures of different types including simple, sensory distortions or sensations; sudden, momentary interruptions of consciousness; and convulsions that are commonly referred to as epileptic fits*. For a long time in history, epileptic fits were associated with curses, witch craft, and/or insanity’, and many myths and misconceptions about epilepsy still exist today. Here are _

10 Common Myths & Misconceptions about Epilepsy

THE CADRE @ 7

9) People with epilepsy are disabled and can’t work.

10) People with epilepsy shouldn’t be in jobs of responsibility and stress.

SPECIAL DIET). UNFORTUNATELY, TREATMENT DOESN’T WORK FOR EVERYONE, AND THERE’S A CRITICAL NEED FOR MORE RESEARCH.

PEOPLE WITH THE CONDITION HAVE THE SAME RANGE OF ABILITIES AND INTELLIGENCE AS THE REST OF US. SOME HAVE SEVERE SEIZURES AND CANNOT WORK; OTHERS ARE SUCCESSFUL AND PRODUCTIVE IN CHALLENGING CAREERS.

PEOPLE WITH SEIZURE DISORDERS ARE FOUND IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND AT ALL LEVELS IN BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT, THE ARTS, AND THE PROFESSIONS. WE AREN’T ALWAYS AWARE OF THEM BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE, EVEN TODAY, DO NOT TALK ABOUT HAVING EPILEPSY FOR FEAR OF ‘WHAT OTHERS MIGHT THINK.

Check out the list of famous people in history who had epilepsy, and for

Myra 1) Epilepsy is a curse.

2) Epilepsy is contagious.

3) Only kids get epilepsy.

4) You should restrain someone having a

5) You can swallow your tongue during a seizure.

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6) You should force something into the mouth of someone having a seizure.

7) You can’t die from epilepsy.

8) With today’s medication, epilepsy is largely a solved problem.

(Compiled from www.epilepsy.ca & www.epilepsy.com)

Fact EPILEPSY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CURSES, POSSESSION, OR OTHER SUPERNATURAL PROCESSES, SUCH AS PUNISHMENT FOR PAST SINS. LIKE ASTHMA, DIABETES, AND HIGH BLOOD

_ PRESSURE, EPILEPSY IS A MEDICAL PROBLEM.

ABOUT AS CONTAGIOUS AS A GUNSHOT WOUND! YOU SIMPLY CAN’T CATCH EPILEPSY FROM ANOTHER PERSON. ~

EPILEPSY HAPPENS TO PEOPLE OVER AGE 65 ALMOST AS OFTEN AS IT DOES TO CHILDREN AGED TEN AND UNDER. SEIZURES IN THE ELDERLY ARE OFTEN THE AFTER EFFECT OF OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS LIKE STROKE AND HEART DISEASE.

NEVER USE RESTRAINT! THE SEIZURE WILL RUN ITS COURSE, AND YOU CANNOT STOP IT.

I’s PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SWALLOW YOUR TONGUE.

ABSOLUTELY NOT! THAT’S A GOOD WAY TO CHIP TEETH, PUNCTURE GUMS, OR EVEN BREAK SOMEONE’S JAW. THE CORRECT FIRST AID IS SIMPLE: JUST GENTLY ROLL THE PERSON ON ONE SIDE AND PUT SOMETHING SOFT UNDER HIS HEAD TO PROTECT HIM FROM GETTING INJURED.

. EPILEPSY CAN BE A VERY SERIOUS CONDITION,

AND INDIVIDUALS DO DIE OF IT. EXPERTS ESTIMATE THAT PROLONGED SEIZURES (STATUS EPILEPTICUS) ARE THE CAUSE OF MANY DEATHS IN CANADA EACH YEAR.

EPILEPSY IS A CHRONIC MEDICAL PROBLEM THAT FOR MANY PEOPLE CAN BE SUCCESSFULLY TREATED (BY MEDICATION, SURGERY, OR A

more information, contact Epilepsy PEI Inc., a non-profit organization offering information and support for people living or dealing with epilepsy in their lives:

Epilepsy PEI@Yahoo.ca Paula at 892-3274/368-7337 or Dorothy at 902-854-2063

References:

' www.epilepsy.ca (Epilepsy Canada)

? www.epilepsy.com (The Epilepsy Project) 3 www.en. wikipedia.org

Did u know ALEXANDER THE Great NAPOLEON BONAPARTE JULIUS CAESAR Prrer THE Great tor Russia} SOCRATES (African American who led her fellow slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad) (Danish shilosopher and father of existentilism)

(German-borm composer of the Messiah)

NICCOLO PAGANINI ihalian vielinist and composer)

Vincent Van Gocu (italian poet, author of The Divine Comedy)

{English poet)

Lewis CARROLL Ce ee at eet of Ace's

had epilepsy?

at Tiffany's