Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition which can causes seizures in people of all ages. Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works. They can cause a wide range of symptoms. Having a seizure can causes temporary incontinence, headaches, disorientation, exhaustion and change in mood. Epilepsy can start at any age, but it is mostly likely to start in childhood.
Common symptoms can include:
- Full body/part of body moving out of the person’s control, often referred to a ‘fit’
- Losing awareness and staring into space
- Strange sensations in the body, (sometimes called auras) such as a ‘rising’ feeling in the stomach, certain smells, or tingly feelings in their arms or legs
If you think your young person is experiencing these symptoms, check with your GP immediately. Call 999 for an ambulance if your child is having a seizure for the first time, having a seizure that lasts for more than 5 minutes, having lots of seizures in a row, having breathing problems or has seriously injured themselves.
It is important to seek the guidance of your child specialists to ensure the correct individual treatment plan. There are many different types of medication, which may affect your child’s appetite, sleep and bowel movements. It is important that all side effects are shared with relevant professionals and treated wherever possible.