2. OUTLINE OF EPILEPSY
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Introduction
Definition of Epilepsy
Misconceptions of Epilepsy
Causes of Epilepsy
Signs and symptoms
Care given at home and during the fit
Effects of fits
Prevention of fits
3. INTRODUCTION
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It was very pathetic to have witnessed a young lady
fitting during one of the renounced shopping mall in
Accra Metropolis just last weekend. Whilst some people
run helter-skelter, others did their best to catch glimpse
of the victim without offering any assistance to this
lady. It was later realized that the bystanders lack of
care to give to her and were also afraid due to sigma
attached to the disease. With this, lets discuss care and
prevention of epilepsy in our various home.
4. DEFINITION OF EPILEPSY
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Epilepsy is a manifestation of abnormal rapid and
uncontrolled neural electric discharges in the brain.
The person is almost always unconscious, fully or half
way, during the seizure.
Incidence: Common between 4-14 years of age. It
occurs normally before 20 years of age.
6. CAUSES OF EPILEPSY
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No specific cause (idiopathic)
Hereditary
Head injury {concussion, compression}
Increased intracranial pressure {cerebral oedema,
cerebral haemorrhage, brain tumour}
Infections {meningitis and brain abscess- leading to
scar tissue formation: this may form a focus}
7. CAUSES CONT…
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Systemic conditions {hepatic encephalopathy e.g.
hepatitis and liver failure; renal disease e.g. renal
failure and glumerulonephritis; hypoglycaemia;
hypoxia}
Drugs {Alcohol, amphetamines}
Pregnancy and child birth {poor diet/ nutrition;
radiations e.g. X-rays; iatrogenic drugs e.g. septrin and
chloroquine}
9. CARE AT HOME
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Low bed or bed with padded side rails
Things to avoid {heights, fire, pools/ river, loud noise}
Take medicines judiciously
Don’t drive or operate machines
Take note of frequency of attacks
Come and report for review duly or even earlier if
necessary.
10. CARE DURING A FIT
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Move client from danger or danger from client
Place a firm pad or pillow below head
Protect head when twitching
Don’t restrain client
Lose tight clothes around neck, chest and waist
Stay with client during the attack
Turn client to the side after the seizure
Send client to hospital and report observations
11. EFFECTS OF FREQUENT
Irritability {verbal and physical aggression}
Retardation in all activities {physical and verbal}
Labile mood changes {euphoria, depression and
confusion}
Automatic behaviours {violent and panic attacks}
Intellectual impairment {amnesia and mental
retardation}
Vegetative life
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12. PREVENTION OF FITS
Talk to client soothingly
Avoid quarrels with client
Tactfully separate client from stimulating environment
Avoid heights, swimming, operating automobile machines, closer
to fire.
Continuous observation and care
Serve prescribed drugs judiciously
Provide social warmth and comfort
Avoid drug abuse and alcohol
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13. PREVENTION CONT…
Pregnant mothers should attend ANC regularly and
also do well to deliver in hospital.
Strict compliance and adherence to prescribed
medication.
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16. CONCLUSION
We have come to the end of the presentation. We
learnt that Epilepsy is abnormal rapid and
uncontrolled electrical neural discharges in the brain.
Misconceptions, causes, care and prevention of
Epilepsy were extensively discussed.
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17. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION
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