Hi Morgan, Its Rae.
Here is some of the information you were looking for.
The Free Press recently released an article entitled "The Forgotten Disease", in which they speak of Tuberculosis on and around the reserves in Manitoba that was given a blind eye. I think It is time, it light of its Awareness Month, to bring up the forgotten and often misunderstood disorder known as Epilepsy. Attempts were made to contact other newspapers and radio station in Winnipeg. All attempts were ignored.
Epilepsy is a devastating neurological disease characterized by abnormal brain activity and recurring seizures, which affects 1 out of every 100 people. That's approx 270+ U of M students/teachers, 3 million Canadians and 50 million men, women and children worldwide—more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson's disease combined.
Epilepsy has several causes. Anything that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain can lead to seizures. Seizures may occur as a sign of a wide variety of medical conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s disease, muscular dystrophy), illnesses (e.g., heatstroke, kidney failure) or due to use of certain medications. However, because of the complex nature of the brain, roughly half of all seizures have no known cause. We need to raise awareness to vastly lower that percentage.
There are over 20 different types of seizures *recently re-catagorized* and unlimited causes for Epilepsy, and numerous disorders, diseases, infections and illness that have seizures as a symptom.
Tonic–clonic seizures are sometimes referred to as grand–mal seizures. The most powerful type of seizure, tonic–clonic seizures are a combination of two types of seizures that often occur together: tonic seizures (in which muscles contract) and clonic seizures (spasms in which muscles periodically contract then partially relax). This is the type of seizure most often portrayed in movies, faked, made fun of, and joked about. It is a common misconception that bystanders should insert something into the mouth of a person who is having a grand-mal type seizure to stop him/her biting the tongue. In fact, this can be a serious choking hazard for the person having the seizure and may break their teeth, jaw, or the object, resulting in further, unnecessary injury. Bystanders should clear hazards from the area and, if vomit, excess saliva, or mucus are present, turn the person on his or her side into the recovery position, once the seizure has stopped or slowed.
The symptoms of seizures vary widely depending on the area of the brain involved in the seizure. Some people experience such dramatic symptoms as loss of consciousness and severe muscle contractions. However, others may experience symptoms such as hallucinations, strange tastes in the mouth or sudden, intense emotions. Others may act out, fidget with hands or clothing, be confused, slur or unable to form words, stutter, roll their eyes, or seem as if they are "spacing out". Most seizures take place while the person appears conscious, although this is sometimes the case, the actions being done are completely uncontrolled and they may be unresponsive.
A serious complication of epilepsy is called status epilepticus, a condition whereby a person has a longer than average seizure or never regains consciousness between seizures. People with epilepsy have a higher risk of status epilepticus, although it can also occur in people with no prior history of seizures. The ability of people to recover from status epilepticus depends on how quickly they receive appropriate medical intervention (e.g., administration of medication). Because of the little knowledge in society regarding appropriate action, this can sometimes lead to death.
With such a stigma surrounding this disorder, many people chose to hide it, and refuse to talk about it. This greatly sets back our goal to raise awareness. There are people who believe that people with epilepsy are drug and alcohol abusers, demon possessed or sacrilegious, contagious, and mentally ill. EVERYONE has a seizure threshold, it is just a matter of finding that out, and trying to raise it. Although depression and bi-polar disorder are common in people with epilepsy, it does not happen in all cases. This depression mostly arises from the outcast feeling that most of society places on them. It is a hush hush subject, including with immediate family. People ignore it when the subject is brought up, and even claim the people are just using this for attention. The problem is that this disorder is NOT getting enough attention. and what it is getting is negative.
Think about your circle of friends and family. If you know 100 people or more, chances are you know someone with epilepsy, or a disroder that causes seizures. Do they not deserve to have their story heard?
Please contact The Manitoba Epilepsy and Seizure Foundation for more information and to make a donation to help find a cure, and better the quality of life. You can make a different. Even if you show this article to 5 of your friends. Heck, even 1 friend will make a difference.
Thanks for reading.
