Many people are dumb founded by myths and misconceptions.Even though medical progress has come a long way the myths and misconceptions of the past still pose a major problem.
Some popular myths are:
Myth #1- Epilepsy is contagious
you simply cannot catch epilepsy from another person!
Myth #2- You can swallow your tongue during a seizure
it’s physically impossible to swallow your tongue. In fact, you should never force something into the mouth of someone having a seizure. That's a good way to chip teeth, puncture gums, or even break someone's jaw.
Myth #3- People with epilepsy are disabled and can't work
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 of business, government, the arts and the professions.
Myth #4- People with epilepsy look different
unless someone with epilepsy is actually having a seizure there is no way that his or her condition can be detected.
Myth #5- Epilepsy is a form of mental illness
Epilepsy is an umbrella term covering about twenty different types of seizure disorders. It is a functional, physical problem, not a mental one.
Myth #6- With today's medication, epilepsy is largely a solved problem
Epilepsy is a chronic medical problem that for many people can be successfully treated. Unfortunately, treatment doesn't work for everyone and there's a critical need for more research.
The truth is that epilepsy is a very common disorder. Epilepsy can happen to anybody at any time. In the vast majority of cases, epilepsy should not stop someone from living healthy, productive life. It is too often people's misconceptions about epilepsy create the disability, not epilepsy itself.
You should let any who takes care of your child that your child has epilepsy and what to do if your child has a seizure.
1. Move anything that can hurt the child out of their way so the child won't injure him or herself.
2. Loosen any tight clothing around the neck.
3. Put a pillow or something soft under the head.
4. Lay him or her on one side.
5. Time the seizure.
6. Not what happen so the parents and doctor’s know what type of seizure and where in the brain it is coming from
Call an ambulance if:
The child was injured during the seizure.
The child may have inhaled water.
The seizure lasted longer than five minutes.
There is no known history of seizures.
Things not to do during a seizure:
Don't put anything in the mouth. It is impossible to swallow your tongue and choke during a seizure. While the child may bite his or her tongue during a seizure, trying to cram something in the mouth probably won't work to prevent this. You may also get bitten, or you may break some of the child's teeth.
Don't try to hold the child down. People, even children, have remarkable muscular strength during seizures. Trying to pin a child with a seizure to the ground isn't easy and it won't do any good anyway.
Don't give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until the seizure is over. After the seizure has ended, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if the person is not breathing.
Don't call an ambulance during a typical seizure. For a lot of people, the first response to seeing a seizure is to call 911. But for the vast majority of seizures, that isn't necessary. It's scary and embarrassing for a child to spend an afternoon in the hospital unnecessarily.
Statistically, children with epilepsy are said to be more likely to have learning disabilities than other kids. This doesn't mean that children with epilepsy are underachievers. Plenty of children with epilepsy are straight-A students and do extremely well in school. If your child is having problems in school, talk to your doctor about possible reasons.
Sometimes, learning disabilities are directly related to the epilepsy. Whatever is causing seizures in the brain may also affect your child's ability to learn.
The medicine your child is taking to control the seizures might cause side effects that can impair a child's ability to concentrate. Depression may be a serious and unrecognized issue for children with epilepsy, so be aware of your child’s behavior.
Research as proven that depression is a problem for young children with epilepsy. Systems you could look for is a limited attention span and bad grades.
Parents should not assume these symptoms are from the epilepsy only.
You and your child should never hide the fact your child has epilepsy. You child will benefit from being open, honest and proud of who they are.