Facts of Epilepsy
There are many myths regarding epilepsy, which are far different from the facts. The person with epilepsy or his relative must be aware of the facts of epilepsy. The facts of epilepsy may help them to understand the condition better and wash off all the myths of epilepsy.
Epilepsy Fact #1
Many people think that a person with epilepsy can swallow his tongue during seizures and forcing something into his mouth might help. But the fact is that it is physically impossible to swallow the tongue and forcing or putting something into the mouth will not help but puncture gums or hurt tooth and jaws.
Epilepsy Fact #2
Many people believe that they should hold down the person with seizures. The fact is that you should not hold down a person with epilepsy. Remember that you can't control or stop seizures. Instead you can take preventive measures like removing hard or sharp things present near the person.
Epilepsy Fact #3
Some people think that a person with epilepsy is dangerous and its impossible to tell what he might do during seizures. But the fact is that a person with epilepsy is not dangerous and he will mostly do the same thing during each episode of seizure. Even is his behavior is inappropriate, he can't harm anyone.
Epilepsy Fact #4
People think that epilepsy is a disease and it can be contagious. The fact is that is that epilepsy is a disorder and isn't contagious. You can't catch it from another person.
Epilepsy Fact #5
It is said that the people with epilepsy are unable to do any work and therefore shouldn't be in a jobs of responsibility. It's true that people with severe seizures can't work but other people with epilepsy have the same ability, intelligence and are equally responsible to carry out the work as others.
Epilepsy Fact #6
Its thought that people with epilepsy can't play sports. But it has been proved that in some cases of epilepsy, playing sports may reduce the frequency of seizures.
Epilepsy Fact #7
Some people think that only children can have epilepsy. But the fact is that people over age 65 are equally affected as the children under 13. Seizures in older people are often caused as a result of other health related problems like heart disease or strokes.
Epilepsy Fact #8
People think that an artificial breathing should be performed on a person with epilepsy. But the fact is that there is no need of performing artificial breathing on a person with epilepsy. It should be performed only if he does not start breathing after the seizure has stopped.
Epilepsy Fact #9
One of the myth of epilepsy is that brain tumor is the most common cause of epilepsy. But the fact is that in about 70 percent of the epilepsy cases the cause is unknown. But in the remaining 30 percent of the cases, it may be caused due to brain tumor, head injury etc.
Epilepsy Fact #10
It's assumed that a person with epilepsy has an abnormal pattern on an electroencephalogram (EEG). But in some cases, EEG test shows a normal electrical activity of brain even if a person has epilepsy.
Epilepsy Fact #11
People think that the seizures experienced during epilepsy can be easily recognized. But the fact is that some seizures are so mild and brief that they can't be noticed easily. The length of the seizures depends upon the types of epilepsy.
Epilepsy Fact #12
Some people think that epilepsy is not a serious condition and a person suffering from it will not die because of it. But the fact is that epilepsy can be serious sometimes and a person may die because of it. One of such serious epilepsy condition is status epilepticus or prolonged seizures.