Epilepsy: My cousin is coming to spend Christmas with us but has just told me that she has epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a very common condition which affects about one in 100 people. It is a disorder that takes various forms and is caused by a small fault in the very complex electrical circuit of the brain and nervous system. This results in the brain not being able to work properly for a short period of time. The symptoms depend on which part of the brain is affected and will vary from person to person.
If you have never been with someone when they have had a seizure - to give it its proper term - then understandably you are anxious about what to do and how to cope. Have a chat with your cousin about how her seizures affect her. There is often a stigma about epilepsy and discussing it openly will help her and you deal with it in a more proactive way.
What should I do if she has a seizure while staying with us? This will depend on the type of seizure she experiences. At worst, she will become unconscious and fall to the ground, her body going stiff and then twitch or jerk briefly. At this stage, it is best not to move the person but move any pieces of furniture from the immediate vicinity to prevent injury. Do not force anything into her mouth or hold her limbs in an effort to stop the fit. Roll her onto her side, with her head turned to one side. As she comes out of the seizure, she may feel drowsy or sleepy. Call for medical assistance if the seizure lasts for more than a few minutes.
Does everyone with epilepsy have the same symptoms and are there things that can trigger an attack?
No. While some people will experience convulsions (seizures), others may experience unusual sensations, smells or intense feelings of anxiety. Absence seizures involve the person staring into space for a short period of time. Some people find that triggers such as fatigue, physical exhaustion, stress, lack of sleep or excessive alcohol can bring on a seizure.