How to Identify a Seizure Seizures may have many different appearances, which can be difficult to recognize. Some of the following may be indications that a seizure is occurring. Look for and make note of particular patterns of behaviour if they occur too often to be attributed to chance. - Daydreaming or short attention blackouts
- Sudden falls for no reason
- Lack of response for short periods of time
- Unusual sleepiness and/or irritability when awakened from sleep
- Rhythmic movements of the head (head nodding) or head dropping
- Rapid blinking or upward eye rolling
- Frequent unwarranted complaints from the child that things look, sound, taste, smell or feel “funny” or different than they actually are
- Sudden bowing or bending movements by babies who are sitting down
- Sudden stomach pain followed by sleepiness or confusion
- Repeated movements or jerking movements that look out of place or unnatural
- Memory gaps
- A blank stare followed by repetitive, meaningless movements
- Dazed behaviour with the inability to communicate or talk for a brief period of time
- Bed wetting or waking with a bitten tongue for no apparent reason
- Lip smacking, chewing or swallowing
Prevalence of Epilepsy Approximately 1 to 2% of all people have epilepsy. 70 to 80% of those with epilepsy develop it before the age of 18 years. Of these, 44% develop epilepsy before age 5. There is a 10% lifetime risk of having at least 1 seizure.
Depending on the type of seizure, 20 to 95% of individuals will go on to have more than 1 seizure, at which time they may be diagnosed as having epilepsy.
Seizures are seen very frequently in the first 10 years of life. This may be due in part to the low seizure threshold of some children. As the child's brain matures, the seizure threshold rises, making the child more resistant to seizures. As a result, most people who develop seizures during childhood or adolescence tend to experience a reduction in the intensity and frequency of seizures as they approach adulthood.
Safety Issues Bathing - Water is especially dangerous for children with epilepsy, so children should bathe in low levels of water. Even when as little water as possible is used, drowning is a possibility if the child falls unconscious without making a sound.
- The bathroom door should not be locked when the child bathes.
- Children with frequent seizures should take showers while sitting on a stool. Taking showers is safer than taking baths, but be aware that injuries may still occur.
- Even older children struggling to gain independence should ensure that someone else is home when they bathe or shower. They should not be permitted to bathe when there is no one else in the house.
- Children should be taught about the risks that they face, should they experience a seizure in the bath or shower when no one is else is home.
Swimming - Children with epilepsy should swim under the watchful eye of lifeguards and/or responsible adults who are trained in lifesaving and ready to act in case of an emergenc
- Inform supervisors that the child has epilepsy so that they are ready to deal with a seizure, should one occur.
- While swimming, children with epilepsy should have a “buddy” who swims with them.
- Diving should be avoided because of the pressure it places in the head, but swimming is possible for many children with epilepsy.
Head Protection When a child has tonic (drop) seizures, the loss of posture may be so rapid that the child crashes violently to the ground. Because this type of seizures is difficult to control, the individual may be exposed to physical injury. Hence, helmets are often a necessity. Children with epilepsy should also wear a helmet whenever they will be participating in sports where there is a risk of head injury.
