Care & prevention of epilepsy

PRESENTD BY
COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC NURSE
EPILEPSY BY emmanuelsevor@yahoo.com
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CARE & PREVENTION OF EPILEPSY

OUTLINE OF EPILEPSY
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Introduction
Definition of Epilepsy
Misconceptions of Epilepsy
Causes of Epilepsy
Signs and symptoms
Care given at home and during the fit
Effects of fits
Prevention of fits

INTRODUCTION
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It was very pathetic to have witnessed a young lady
fitting during one of the renounced shopping mall in
Accra Metropolis just last weekend. Whilst some people
run helter-skelter, others did their best to catch glimpse
of the victim without offering any assistance to this
lady. It was later realized that the bystanders lack of
care to give to her and were also afraid due to sigma
attached to the disease. With this, lets discuss care and
prevention of epilepsy in our various home.

DEFINITION OF EPILEPSY
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Epilepsy is a manifestation of abnormal rapid and
uncontrolled neural electric discharges in the brain.
The person is almost always unconscious, fully or half
way, during the seizure.
Incidence: Common between 4-14 years of age. It
occurs normally before 20 years of age.

MISCONCEPTIONS
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Not contagious
Not a curse
Not caused by evil spirits

CAUSES OF EPILEPSY
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No specific cause (idiopathic)
Hereditary
Head injury {concussion, compression}
Increased intracranial pressure {cerebral oedema,
cerebral haemorrhage, brain tumour}
Infections {meningitis and brain abscess- leading to
scar tissue formation: this may form a focus}

CAUSES CONT…
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Systemic conditions {hepatic encephalopathy e.g.
hepatitis and liver failure; renal disease e.g. renal
failure and glumerulonephritis; hypoglycaemia;
hypoxia}
Drugs {Alcohol, amphetamines}
Pregnancy and child birth {poor diet/ nutrition;
radiations e.g. X-rays; iatrogenic drugs e.g. septrin and
chloroquine}

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Asphyxia neonatorium
Congenital malformations
Eclampsia

CARE AT HOME
EPILEPSY BY emmanuelsevor@ya.com
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Low bed or bed with padded side rails
Things to avoid {heights, fire, pools/ river, loud noise}
Take medicines judiciously
Don’t drive or operate machines
Take note of frequency of attacks
Come and report for review duly or even earlier if
necessary.

CARE DURING A FIT
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Move client from danger or danger from client
Place a firm pad or pillow below head
Protect head when twitching
Don’t restrain client
Lose tight clothes around neck, chest and waist
Stay with client during the attack
Turn client to the side after the seizure
Send client to hospital and report observations

EFFECTS OF FREQUENT
Irritability {verbal and physical aggression}
Retardation in all activities {physical and verbal}
Labile mood changes {euphoria, depression and
confusion}
Automatic behaviours {violent and panic attacks}
Intellectual impairment {amnesia and mental
retardation}
Vegetative life
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PREVENTION OF FITS
Talk to client soothingly
Avoid quarrels with client
Tactfully separate client from stimulating environment
Avoid heights, swimming, operating automobile machines, closer
to fire.
Continuous observation and care
Serve prescribed drugs judiciously
Provide social warmth and comfort
Avoid drug abuse and alcohol
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PREVENTION CONT…
Pregnant mothers should attend ANC regularly and
also do well to deliver in hospital.
Strict compliance and adherence to prescribed
medication.
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QUESTIONS FOR CLARIFICATION
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QUESTIONS TIME

EPILEPSY BY emmanuelsevor@yahoo.com 15
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNT?

CONCLUSION
We have come to the end of the presentation. We
learnt that Epilepsy is abnormal rapid and
uncontrolled electrical neural discharges in the brain.
Misconceptions, causes, care and prevention of
Epilepsy were extensively discussed.
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THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION
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Care & prevention of epilepsy

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