COMMON MYTHS ASSOCIATED WITH EPILEPSY Myth:*You can swallow your tongue during a seizure. Facts:*It's physically impossible to swallow your tongue. Myth:*You should force something into the mouth of someone having a seizure. Facts:*Absolutely NOT!! That's a good way to chip teeth,puncture gums,or even break someone's jaw. The correct first aid is simple. Just gently roll the person on one side and put something soft under his head to protect him from getting injured. Myth:*You should restrain someone having a seizure. Facts:*NEVER use restraint! The seizure will run its course and you can not stop it. Myth:*Epilepsy is contagious. Facts:*About as contagious as a gunshot wound! You simply can't catch epilepsy from another person. Myth:*Only kids get epilepsy. Facts:*Epilepsy happens to people over age 65 almost as often as it does to children aged ten and under. Seizures in the elderly are often the after effect of other health problems like stroke and heart disease. Myth:*People with epilepsy are disabled and can't work. Facts:*People with the condition have the same range of abilities and intelligence as the rest of society. Some have severe seizures and cannot work; others are successful and productive in challenging careers.  Myth:*People with epilepsy shouldn't be in jobs of responsibility and stress. Facts:*People with seizure disorders are found in all walks of life and at all levels in business, government,the arts and the professions. We aren't always aware of them because many people,even today,do not talk about having epilepsy for fear of what others might think. Myth:*With today's medication,epilepsy is largely a solved problem. Facts:*Epilepsy is a chronic medical problem that for many people can be successfully treated. Unfortunately,treatment doesn't work for everyone and there's a critical need for more research. Myth:*Epilepsy is rare and there aren't many people who have it. Facts:*There are more than twice as many people with epilepsy in Canada as the number of people with cerebral palsy (55,000), muscular dystrophy (28,000), multiple sclerosis (39,000), and cystic fibrosis (3,400) combined. Epilepsy can occur as a single condition, or may accompany other conditions affecting the brain,such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation,autism,Alzheimer's,and traumatic brain injury. Myth:*You can't die from epilepsy. Facts:*Epilepsy still can be a very serious condition and individuals do die of it. Experts estimate that prolonged seizures (status epilepticus) are the cause of 2,400 to 4,600 deaths in Canada each year. In a major study of status epilepticus, 42% of deaths occurred in individuals with a history of epilepsy. Myth:*You can't tell what a person might do during a seizure. Facts:*Seizures commonly take a characteristic form and the individual will do much the same thing during each episode. His behaviour may be inappropriate for the time and place,but it is unlikely to cause harm to anyone. Myth:*People with epilepsy are physically limited in what they can do. Facts:*In most cases,epilepsy isn't a barrier to physical achievement,although some individuals are more severely affected and may be limited in what they can do.     Myth:*Epilepsy is a psychological condition. Fact:*Epilepsy is a medical condition. Seizures are the result of an excessive and disorderly discharge of electrical energy in the brain. Another myth is that epileptics are in some way brain-damaged.This is just RIDICULOUS!!!.  In fact,many eplipetics are exceedingly intelligent. You can go to my page listing famous people to see what I mean!...     Possibly the biggest myth of all is that you can help a person "snap out of" a seizure.  This is a completely false notion. It will NOT help to shake the person,call their name or employ similar techniques. The most that you can do is to help make them as safe and comfortable as possible. We epileptic's are NOT contagious and we are NOT "crazy" people either.... ~What Everyone Should Know~... •Epilepsy is not a disease. It is a symptom of a disorder of the central nervous system. •Epilepsy has no single "cause" but can be caused by any number of conditions that injure or affect the brain.  Many causes can be prevented; some can be cured. •Epilepsy can affect anyone, at any age,at any time. •Epilepsy has many forms ranging from violent convulsions to momentary lapses of attention. •Epilepsy is an episodic disability.For most, seizures are brief and infrequent.Between seizures, most people with epilepsy are perfectly normal and healthy. •Epilepsy, for most,can be treated,thus permitting many individuals to lead normal lives. •Epilepsy can carry with it a host of psychological and social problems -- misunderstanding and rejection by family and friends,inability to get a job,insecurity, anger,frustration -- that for most victims are more difficult to handle than the actual seizure problem itself. "Please remember that for many,it is not the disorder,but society's reaction to it that causes the disability"...Seizures nor Epilepsy in NO way a funny matter it's very difficult to deal with in many many way's for the idividual as well as family,friends. Please if you ever see someone having a seizure don't leave them alone you can simply help them by making sure their safe & out of harms way you could very well save his/her life in doing that.. Is it a good idea to keep epilepsy a secret from others? Absolutely NOT!! I've dealt with epi for a long time now an being a lil kid/teenager was not always the easiest thing dealing with family as well as friends,teachers etc. who would reacted in a certain way believe me secrecy it's NOT the answer.. Secrecy used to be the preferred approach with epilepsy,because there was a great deal of public fear and official discrimination toward those with the disorder.But as doctors became more knowledgeable about epilepsy and as families and organizations worked to win rights for those with the disorder,public and offical attitudes have begun to change.There is still too much public misunderstanding,but that is partly because not enough people are willing to talk openly about epilepsy and educate others... Secrecy not only prevents public understanding,but also contributes to a negative self-image.A teenager who is told to hide something about himself is probably going to feel quilty and or ashamed. This may lead to avoiding others for fear of being found out. A better approach is to consider epilepsy as just one way a person can be different. Epilepsy is an unfortunate difference,but one that is shared by others,many of whom have overcome it to lead active,happy lives... The decision about who and when to tell should be arrived at mutually by the teenager and parents.(if in school) The right of every individual to privacy must be weighed against a bad decision based on fear and ignorance..And each person must decide how to tell others about epilepsy. School officials,teachers,and coaches should definitely be told,and the parents and teenager please!!! meet with them to discuss how medications and seizures should be handled..Some epileptics will show no effects from medications and may never have a seizure at school. Of course,there will always be those who will make fun of us be mean to a person who has seizures or any other visible difference. There is little that can be done about this,understand that they are not the type of people you would want to be friends with take it from someone that knows personally how it is to lose someone you care & love so dearly I lost two of my best friends of 12 years because of epi, and some family members as well.. No it wasn't the easiest thing to do in walking out of the friendships most certainly I know it was the best thing for me and has made me a stonger person.. (couldn't deal anymore with the case of the FAKE people so i stopped) Often times If they see that the person handles epilepsy confidently and with courage,they will probably admire him/her. it's not the epilepsy itself that causes the disorder"it's society", the way a person with epilepsy are treated it's often times very difficult to go through we all have to let go!!! Believe & Trust in god! Remember what I said before don't laugh and point fingers because,just as your laughing may very well be you one day! For everyone out there it's my belief that we all have the need to feel real special and it's this need that can bring out the best in us...yet the worse in us...We need to remember thatLOVElies deep within ourselves we have to want it so it starts with us and no one else,we must learn we are all born with specialness inside of us,you can't run away from your pain cause whereever you run there you will be, you have to learn to water your spiritual garden, then you will be free!..For the epileptics out there I know how your feeling inside same thing i deal with every single day,your not ALONE!! If you need a friend hey just drop a note I'm here for anyone who needs a friend or just if you may need someone to talk to from time to time :) Throughout lifes struggles and pain... Don't you ever LET ANYONE TELL YOU that your not strong enough you can face it and make it!!...Believe within yourself thats were it starts love yourself and YOU WILL learn to love others... No matter what love & believe within yourself!! Like I said before if you'd like to email me please do so!!! I love mail "Just click on the envelopes" Had fun doing this :) Ciao for now!! °o° God Bless You All!! PLEASE SIGN MY GUESTBOOK SO I'LL KNOW YOU WERE HERE!! :) I Am A Proud Member Of: Phenomenal Women Of The Web® PhenomenalWomen.com Faxless Payday Loan