Epilepsy Talk
Can You Believe It?
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Just when you thought the modern world was becoming enlightened, there are still a whole lot of myths and fears about epilepsy — fueled by ignorance and misinformation.
These fears might sound ridiculous to you…but they’re real for those who don’t know better.
Tags: contagious, cured by medications, die, Epilepsy, not employable, physically limited, rare
Yee-Haa! I’m officially an author
45 Comments
You probably remember that my introduction to epilepsy wasn’t a rosy one. (Whose is?)
It really wasn’t until once I was older and came out of the closet that I was willing to share my “dirty little secret”.
And now look where I am…
Epilepsy Foundation Was Targeted in Mass Strobe Cyberattack
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Hackers sent images of flashing strobe lights to the foundation’s thousands of Twitter followers in several attacks.
Is Epilepsy Inherited?
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Just because you have a parent, sibling, cousin or aunt who has epilepsy doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have it also.
In fact, if you have a close relative with epilepsy, the chance of you having epilepsy is only about 2-5%, depending on the specific type of epilepsy.
The risk in the general population is about 1-2%.
On the other hand, there is a 92-98% chance for the close relative of someone with epilepsy to NOT have the same condition!
So, even though the risk in families with epilepsy is higher than in the general population, most people with epilepsy do not have any relatives with seizures, and the great majority of parents with epilepsy do not have children with epilepsy.
Tags: Epilepsy, family risk, genetic abnormalities, genetic testing, Research, seizure threshold, seizure-free, seizures
What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?
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All of us have dreams. Some become reality…and some stay in our imaginations.
For me, writing was my “dream”. And it became a reality when I discovered a way I could write without starving.
If You’re Thinking Of Getting Pregnant…
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Years ago, women who had epilepsy were often discouraged from getting pregnant. Today, that’s no longer the case.
Thanks to early and regular prenatal care, more than 90 percent of pregnant women who have epilepsy deliver healthy babies, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.
Tags: AEDS, breastfeeding, Epilepsy, Folic Acid, Neurologist, obstetrician, pre-natal care, pregnancy, safety, seizures, single medication, Tips, Vitamin K
Some Stress and Anxiety Solutions…
87 Comments
Sometimes my hands shake so much, I look like I’m leading a symphony. (Without a baton.) Legs too, I have to sit down.
Maybe you panic before a test, the very fear of having a seizure, social rejection, job anxieties, debt, fear of failure, an anticipated argument, holidays, fear of flying.
There are probably as many kinds of stress and panic attacks as there are those of us who suffer from them.
And behaviors: trembling, sweating, hyperventilating, breathlessness, feeling faint or light-headed, a sense of disorientation, cramping, nausea, your heart pounding like it’s going to explode from your chest, a fear of dying.
Or you’re just plain scared.
Tags: cognitive therapy, confront fears, creativity, deep breathing, Epilepsy, meditate, meds, music, Panic Attacks, relaxation, solutions, support groups, visualization, walking
Epilepsy and Electrolytes
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It’s a situation often mentioned but rarely understood – the effects electrolytes have on seizures.
But a simple blood test can detect the danger of unbalanced electrolytes.
Taking extra doses of certain minerals can help to prevent side-effects that may follow the long-term use of some seizure medicines.
And taking supplements can help protect the brain (as can a B-Vitamin complex), but it’s no guarantee of seizure control, since there are a lot of different factors at play that can trigger a seizure.
But, making sure you have the right nutrients is just as important as having the right balance between all of them, so that proper electrical connections are maintained.
Tags: balance, blood sugar, Calcium, electrolytes, Epilepsy, magnesium, minerals, oxygen, potassium, seizure control, side effects, sodium, Vitamin-B
What Most Offends YOU About How People Treat Epilepsy?
33 Comments
I call epilepsy the “stealth condition,” because most people don’t actually witness a seizure.
Which results in an abundance of ignorance…misinformation..and to be frank, discrimination and slurs.
Tags: achievement, advocate, behavior, discrimination, Epilepsy, ignorance, misinformation, oblivious, pariah, seizures, slurs, stigma
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