Epilepsy

The facts:
Epilepsy is defined as a tendency to recurrent seizures of the Primary Cerebral Origin and is
the most common serious neurological condition in the UK.
In the UK approximately 20% of the population have seizures at some point in their life with
the highest incidence between the ages of 20 60.
National statistics show that 1 in 130 of the UKs population develop epilepsy with 1 in every
280 children under the age of 16.

Learning Disabilities
30% of people with learning disabilities suffer from epilepsy
Cerebral Palsy 50-80 % suffer from epilepsy
Autism, 30% incidence and 50% with sever learning disability
Diagnosis can be difficult especially when the person has a learning disability and the
seizures can be more frequent and prolonged and often harder to control. Such seizures are
also harder to record as there often reported as behavioural issues. Side effects from
treatment occur more often and again are difficult to detect and treat.

Causes of epilepsy:

Theres evidence that the following may be contributing factors for the development of
epilepsy
Living in areas of high social deprivation
Infection to the brain
Prenatal development abnormality
Damage to the brain following an accident (scarring of the brain)
Person may have been born with another neurological condition which may develop into
epilepsy thereafter.

Other possible causes are:

Stoke, tumour or birth trauma
Prolonged drug and alcohol abuse
Encephalitis (swelling of the brain)
Meningitis

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Categories of seizures
Partial symptoms, sweating, rapid pulse, muscular movement
Complex Partial symptoms
Person may show signs that they have taken drugs with slurred speech and showing sign
of confusion and the slapping of lips and may stumble to the ground with muscular
movement. May bite lips or cheeks
Breathing may be interrupted
Often blue-ish discoloration of the skin
Possible incontinence
Partial with Secondary Generalisation combination of simple and complex partial
seizures often known as Tonic Clonic

Management of epilepsy
What do when you witness an epileptic seizure?
Do not restrain the person, however do remove any object obstacles and guide the
person away from danger
Give plenty of reassurance and calm the person down, this will help with their orientation
Remain with the person whilst they recover, report the seizure together with any injuries

Overview
The person will not remember the seizure
The complete brain is effected and there may be seizure warnings or auras muscular
movements before a full seizure occurs
Person may lose consciousness
Seizures may be brief or prolonged

Generalised Seizures
Absence: last only a few seconds. The person may stare blankly and flutter their eye
lashes and nod their head
Myoclonic: Sudden movement of limbs often whilst walking and will fall
Altonic : Sudden collapse with quick recovery
Tonic: falls if walking and limbs stiffen
Clonic: Movement of limbs without prior stiffening
Tonic Clonic : Will fall, cry out, rapid movements, skin discolouration, laboured breathing,
may bite their lips or cheeks and seizure may be prolonged

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When to call an Ambulance 999

If the Tonic Clonic seizure lasts for more than 2 minutes longer than usual
Lasts more than 5 minutes
Repeated Tonic Clonic seizures
Difficulty with breathing
Person sustains a serious injury
Persons first ever seizure

Post Seizure Recovery

Put the person in the recovery position
Do not forcefully straighten limbs
The persons condition should stabilize following a normal timed seizure within a few
minutes
Report and observe

Triggers of Seizures
Missed medication
Stress
Infection with raised temperature
Boredom
Sleep deprivation
Alcohol
Menstruation
Bright light / camera flashing

Recoding and observation procedures

Name and address (if applicable)
Date, time and location
Details of when last medication was taken
What medication are they taking
Had the person taken alcohol or illegal drugs
Any prior warnings, change in behaviour and skin colour
Record body movement and breathing

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 Length of seizure
Was the seizure singular or multiple
Level of consciousness during seizure
Behaviour after seizure
Injuries (describe)
Incontinence (if any)
Timescale of full recovery
Did the person remain confused
Unaccompanied seizure
Failing to take anti epilepsy medication

Behaviour Changes can happen following a seizure

which include:
Paranoia
Management challenges of people with learning disabilities
Aggression
Embarrassment,
Low self-esteem
Frustration

Living with Epilepsy

Some people are unable to undertake various activities and bring on various emotions.
May be driving restrictions , depending on severity
Effects social life
Low self-esteem
Breakdown of relationships
Career development may be restricted
Independence may be taken
Sporting activities may be reduced

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

This act covers anyone with epilepsy

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