Tag Archive for: Seizure

What is Purple Day?

Purple day logo jpegMarch is Epilepsy Awareness Month in Canada, and Purple Day is celebrated annually on March 26th to increasing awareness about epilepsy and to reduce the stigma around epilepsy.

Purple Day was founded in 2008 by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, and named after the internationally recognized colour for epilepsy, lavender.

Epilepsy is more common than Parkinson’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis. Approximately 40,000 people in BC and 300,000 in Canada have epilepsy. About 65 million people worldwide have epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder that affects the nerve cell activity in your brain, causing seizures. During seizures, you may experience abnormal behavior, symptoms and sensations, including loss of consciousness.

What is a seizure?

An epileptic seizure is an abnormal burst of electrical activity arising within the brain. There are many different types of seizures. The kind of seizure a person has depends on which part and how much of the brain is affected by the electrical disturbance that produces seizures. A seizure can take many different forms including a blank stare, muscle spasms, uncontrolled movements, altered awareness, odd sensations, or a convulsion.

Epilepsy can be present at any age although its onset is most often in childhood or in the later years of life. Sometimes those who develop seizures during childhood outgrow their seizures. In the elderly, there is an increased incidence due to strokes and aging of the brain.

What should you do when someone is having a seizure?

1. Stay calm
2. Protect the person from injury by cushioning their head, moving objects out of their way, and loosening tight clothing
3. As soon as possible, gently turn the person onto their side
4. Stay with the individual until consciousness is fully regained
5. Be reassuring and comforting afterwards

An ambulance should be called if a seizure lasts for more than five minutes, for a first time seizure – no known history, or if a person is injured, pregnant, or has diabetes.

For more information on how you can get involved on Purple Day; click Join the Campaign.

Please wear purple on March 26, 2015 to promote epilepsy awareness world-wide.

/0 Comments/by

Do I Need To Go To The ER?

Do I Need To Go To The ER? Twenty five years ago, doctors used to make house calls, but in the 21st century  the only option you have is to stay home, see your doctor during office hours,  use a walk-in clinic or go to the emergency. So how do you know if your symptoms are serious enough to warrant a trip to the local ER…. Here are some guidelines.

Heart attack symptoms:

These can include the “classic” symptoms of  chest, left arm, or jaw pain, as well as shortness of breath, sudden dizziness, weakness, nausea; or unexplained sweating and fatigue.

Stroke symptoms:

A sudden numbness or weakness in a limb or one side of your face, sudden speech difficulties, trouble seeing out of one or both eyes, unexpected dizziness, loss of balance or an excruciating headache.

Trauma to the head:

If you receive a blow to the head that results in loss of consciousness, a seizure, or vomiting even if your symptoms happen a few hours after you hit your head.

Loss of consciousness/fainting:

It might be nothing more than you forget to eat, but it could also signal a heart problem or stroke.

Broken bone:

If your  limb looks drastically misshapen or out of place,  with swelling and bruising, and are not able to bear weight on the injured area.

Bleeding:
Bleeding that doesn’t stop when you apply pressure for 20 minutes or a gaping wound where you can see muscle, or bone.

Disorientation/confusion:

This could be a sign of stroke, seizure, dehydration, and other major problems.

Burns:
A burn that covers an area larger than 5 centimeters, breaks the outer layer of skin or causes numbness.

Bite/puncture wound:

Any bite where the skin is broken needs to be looked at; you may need antibiotics or a tetanus shot.

Ongoing pain:
Severe pain halfway down your back on either side of your spine, could signal a kidney stone or infection, as well as severe abdominal pain which can be appendicitis.

Unexplained fever:
An ongoing fever that can’t be controlled with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or if your fever is 105 degrees or higher.

Abscess/infection:

Any abscess that is greater than the size of a quarter with an area around it that’s red and swollen.

Remember that these are only guidelines, and if you are unsure, err on the side of caution and call your health care practitioner, or go to the emergency.

/0 Comments/by