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Sunday, July 18, 1999 Oakville Beaver Weekend 11 T o Y o u r H e a l t h To reach this section call 845-3824 Fax:337-5567 Epilepsy still carries stigma for many 'The stigm a is s till very, very strong. People are afraid o f th e seizu re and th e unknown. I t can be hard for people w ith epilepsy to g e t a job," -- Epilepsy Canada executive director Denise Crepin By Irene Gentle SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Severe fevers, alcohol or drug abuse, strokes, brain tumors, serious infections and head injuries. While these maladies may seem unrelated, they have all been linked with the development of epilepsy. At last count, there were about 30 forms of epilepsy. Though they differ in type and severity, the one thing they have in common is seizures. Seizures are caused by sudden, brief malfunctions in the brain, explained Epilepsy Canada executive director Denise Crepin. "We all have electricity in our cells," she said. "It's an over-dis­ charge of electricity." Despite down to earth explana­ tions for the disorder, it has been an uphill battle to de-mystify it, said Crepin. "The stigma of the old days, when they said (people with epilepsy) were possessed by the devil, that's still out there. Or people will say they are mentally ill, which is not the case at all." Those impressions lead to dis­ crimination in schools and the work­ place, charged Crepin. "The stigma is still very, very strong. People are afraid of the seizure and the unknown. It can be hard for people with epilepsy to get a job." Startling seizures in which a per­ son experiences violent convulsions are the root of the fear. "People remember when people go into convulsions because that's the most dramatic," said Crepin. Many other types of seizures are much less disturbing to witness. Some are even hard to detect. "With some, you could go into a mood. It's like you're daydreaming, but you're having a seizure," said Crepin. 'That's why it's very hard to diagnose." With any type of seizure, the per­ son comes out feeling disoriented. That is partly why some forms of epilepsy can be mistaken for Alzheimer's in older people. Blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines and elec­ tro-encephalogram (EEG) units are tools used to pinpoint an accurate diagnosis of epilepsy. In Canada, 14,000 people a year are diagnosed with the disorder, according to Epilepsy Canada statis­ tics. That breaks down to about 38 people a day. About 300,000 Canadians, or one per cent of the population, suffer from the neurological disorder. Of those, 60% are young children or seniors. In 75% of children's cases and 50% of adult ones, the origins of the disorder are unknown. Though there is no cure for epilepsy, anti-convulsive drugs have made it a manageable disorder for some 60% of sufferers. "For them, it is very well con­ trolled and they have very productive lives," said Crepin. That's despite drug side effects that can range from headaches and dizziness to weight loss or gain, as well as personality changes. For others, epilepsy can be debili­ tating. "About 40% of people don't respond well to the medication," said Crepin. "That's why we have to keep researching." That means finding the dollars to do it. According to two Epilepsy Canada studies, the latest one in 19%, epilepsy is dead last on the funding totem pole for neurological diseases. "Epilepsy is not a popular dis­ ease," explained Crepin. "It's not a sophisticated disorder." According to the studies, about $1.4 million is spent on epilepsy research each year. That can be broken down to about $5 per person with epilepsy. In the United States, about $42 million was spent on research in 19%, translating to about $17 per person with the disorder. What to do if som eone has a seizure If someone is suffering from convulsive seizures, the main goal is to keep them safe until they regain consciousness. Do not attempt to restrain them, or stop the con­ vulsions. Do not place anything in their mouths. They can­ not swallow their tongue, and any foreign object in the mouth is apt to do more damage to the gums, teeth and tongue than good. □ If possible, gently turn the individual on their side. Don't try and hold them there. □ If there are any objects nearby they could be hurt with, remove them. Also, loosen any belts or tight collars. If they are wearing glasses, remove them as well. □ If possible, place something soft, such as a sweater or jacket, under the individual's head to pre­ vent it from being hurt during the convulsions. □ A normal seizure will last up to two minutes. If it lasts longer than five minutes, call an ambulance. Do not call before the five minute mark. □ When the person gains consciousness, they will be disoriented. Reassure them of where they are and what happened. □ In the case of non-convulsive seizures, the best thing to do is pay attention. The person may just appear to be daydreaming when they are actually having a seizure. □ If they are sitting down, try to ensure they don't fall from the chair. □ The person may attempt to wander away. Watch they don't injure themselves in doing so. □ When they recover, reorient them as to where they are and what happened. J j f a f t y l I f AAA C g-K-tieX Da Endocrinology & metabolism Ronnie Aronson MDFRCPCFWE • Medical Weight Management Program • Multi-disciplinary Health Care Team • Metabolism Assessment • Computerized Diet Analysis by physician referral ( 9 0 5 ) 3 3 7 - 0 0 4 0 or visit www.lmc.ca Trafalgar Road at QEW, Oakville H a i r l i n e s . . . Come discover why men & women • Including other MD's - have come from across Canada, the U.S.A. and from as far away as Singapore, Finland, and Malaysia for natural-looking hair transplantation. 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Ontario in fo by Email: ns@nc.tds.net Health Assistant Needed for Busy Office Please Call: i 332-7758______________ ............ . i HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE STUDY (treated or untreated) VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to participate in research study You may qualify for a clinical study of an investigational blood pressure lowering drug For more information, please call: (905) 337-0040 Dr. Ronnie Aronson Lifestyle M etabolism C enter • s tu d y d ru g is p ro v id e d th ro u g h o u t th e tr ia l ______________ - re im b u rs e m e n t a v a ila b le (u p to $ 2 4 0 )______________ http://www.lmc.ca mailto:ns@nc.tds.net By Irene Gentle Endocrinology & metabolism Ronnie Aronson • Medical Weight Management Program • Multi-disciplinary Health Care Team • Metabolism Assessment • Computerized Diet Analysis Network Marketing Seminar WELLNESS - WEIGHT LOSS NATURAL EARTH FRIENDLY PRODUCTS Life Safety (FIRE) • Energy Conservation Health Assistant Needed (treated or untreated) VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to participate in research study You may qualify for a clinical study of an investigational blood pressure lowering drug For more information, please call: (905) 337-0040 Dr. Ronnie Aronson Lifestyle Metabolism Center