International Epilepsy Day is celebrated every year on the second Monday in February. This year, Campus Health Service is bringing awareness to this condition and giving some information on what it is and how best to manage it.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition which affects the nervous system and is one of the most common neurological conditions - about one in every 100 people has epilepsy. Epilepsy is also known as a seizure disorder. It is usually diagnosed after a person has had at least two seizures (or after one seizure with a high risk for more) that were not caused by some known medical condition. A single seizure does not necessarily mean you have epilepsy. One in 20 people have a seizure at some time in their lives. Epilepsy is not a mental illness or psychiatric disorder and is not infectious or contagious.

What Are Seizures?

Seizures seen in epilepsy are caused by disturbances in the electrical activity of the brain. The seizures in epilepsy may be related to a brain injury or a family tendency, but most of the time the cause is unknown…

Epilepsy can affect anyone at any age and also affects people of all levels of intelligence and from all racial and social backgrounds. 75% of people with epilepsy have had their first seizure before the age of 20, while many children with epilepsy will outgrow it. Up to 80% of people will have their epilepsy controlled by medication.

The severity of seizures can differ from person to person. Some people simply experience an odd feeling with no loss of awareness, while others lose consciousness and have convulsions (uncontrollable shaking of the body).

How is epilepsy diagnosed?

The diagnosis of epilepsy is largely clinical, and an accurate description of the seizures and the circumstances in which they occur becomes very important. Detailed descriptions help in the diagnosis and may determine the need for further investigations such as blood tests and medical scans.

Medication and helping yourself

The majority of people with epilepsy have their seizures controlled by anti-epileptic medication. The choice of drug depends not only on the type of seizure but also on the individual and it may take some time to achieve the right dose for each person.Medication strengthens the resistance to seizures, so it's most important to take the prescribed dose at the prescribed time.

How to Assist if Someone is Having s Seizure

Show others how to take care of someone having a seizure. Seizure First Aid is simple - Three Ss: Stay, Safe, Side.

1. STAY with the person and start timing the seizure. Remain calm and check for medical ID.
2. Keep the person SAFE. Move or guide away from harmful objects.
3. Turn the person onto their SIDE if they are not awake and aware. Don't block airway, put something small and soft under the head, loosen tight clothes around neck.
4. Do NOT put anything in their mouth. Don't give water, pills or food until the person is awake.
5. Do NOT restrain.
6. STAY with them until they are awake and alert after the seizure. Most seizures end in a few minutes.

When to Call for Help (ER 24 on Campus - 010 205 3032)

• Seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
• Repeated seizures
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizure occurs in water
• Person is injured, pregnant, or sick
• Person does not return to their usual state
• First time seizure

If you're suffering from epileptic seizures, make an appointment at Campus Health Service for medical advice and medication. Call us on 021 808 3494/6 (Stellenbosch Campus) or 021 938 9590 (Tygerberg Campus).