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I'm a person who has lived with epilepsy for over thirty years & wants to help others seeking advice or information about living with seizures.

Mostly seen in children; affects both hemispheres & presents with a pause, blank stare, lapse of awareness. Person seems momentarily "absent", may chew or blink repeatedly. Severe cases include multiple seizures a day lasting 30s. Absence seizure a. Having a rapid onset and following a short but severe course: an acute disease. b. Afflicted by a disease exhibiting a rapid onset followed by a short, severe course: acute patients. Acute refers to a hospital admission for in-patient testing, change of medication, pre-surgical or surgery. Most patients are admitted to a hospital based on their doctor's orders. They may also be admitted to the hospital through the Emergency Department if patient arrives via ambulance or is taken by car. Admission Advance directives are legal documents that provide instructions for medical care and only go into effect if you cannot communicate your own wishes. The two most common advance directives for health care are the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care. Living will: A living will is a legal document that tells doctors how you want to be treated if you cannot make your own decisions about emergency treatment. In a living will, you can say which common medical treatments or care you would want, which ones you would want to avoid, and under which conditions each of your choices applies. Learn more about preparing a living will. Durable power of attorney for health care: A durable power of attorney for health care is a legal document that names your health care proxy, a person who can make health care decisions for you if you are unable to communicate these yourself. Your proxy, also known as a representative, surrogate, or agent, should be familiar with your values and wishes. A proxy can be chosen in addition to or instead of a living will. Having a health care proxy helps you plan for situations that cannot be foreseen, such as a serious car accident, stroke, medically induced comas, head trauma, etc. Advanced directive Alzheimer’s disease is the mostly commonly diagnosed form of dementia in older adults. Alzheimer's disease The abbreviation AMA stands for "Against Medical Advice," which refers to a situation where a patient chooses to leave a healthcare facility or refuse treatment contrary to the advice of their medical provider. This term is commonly utilized in clinical settings and medical documentation to indicate that a patient has opted to discontinue care despite being informed of the potential risks involved. AMA An ambulance is a vehicle equipped for taking sick or injured people to and from hospital, especially in emergencies. There are several types of ambulance, all with special equipment, based on their needs. Ambulance officers are trained as first responders and know how to stabilize someone who is ill or injured and get them to hospital urgently. ambulance relating to the scientific study and representation of the physical body and how its parts are arranged. All medical students are required to do an anatomical dissection of a human body. anatomy anterior Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here... asymptomatic an arrangement for a meeting : engagement appointment an impairment in a person’s ability to comprehend or formulate language because of damage to specific brain regions.[2] The major causes are stroke and head trauma; prevalence is hard to determine, but aphasia due to stroke is estimated to be 0.1–0.4% in developed countries.[3] Aphasia can also be the result of brain tumors, epilepsy, autoimmune neurological diseases, brain infections, or neurodegenerative diseases (such as dementias). To be diagnosed with aphasia, a person's language must be significantly impaired in one or more of the four aspects of communication. In the case of progressive aphasia, a noticeable decline in language abilities over a short period of time is required. The four aspects of communication include spoken language production, spoken language comprehension, written language production, and written language comprehension. Impairments in any of these aspects can impact functional communication. The difficulties of people with aphasia can range from occasional trouble finding words, to losing the ability to speak, read, or write; intelligence, however, is unaffected. Expressive language and receptive language can both be affected as well. Aphasia also affects visual language such as sign language. In contrast, the use of formulaic expressions in everyday communication is often preserved. For example, while a person with aphasia, particularly expressive aphasia (Broca's aphasia), may not be able to ask a loved one when their birthday is, they may still be able to sing "Happy Birthday". One prevalent deficit in all aphasias is anomia, which is a difficulty in finding the correct word. With aphasia, one or more modes of communication in the brain have been damaged and are therefore functioning incorrectly. Aphasia is not caused by damage to the brain resulting in motor or sensory deficits, thus producing abnormal speech — that is, aphasia is not related to the mechanics of speech, but rather the individual's language cognition. However, it is possible for a person to have both problems, e.g. in the case of a hemorrhage damaging a large area of the brain. An individual's language abilities incorporate the socially shared set of rules, as well as the thought processes that go behind communication (as it affects both verbal and nonverbal language). Aphasia is not a result of other peripheral motor or sensory difficulty, such as paralysis affecting the speech muscles, or a general hearing impairment. Neurodevelopmental forms of auditory processing disorder (APD) are differentiable from aphasia in that aphasia is by definition caused by acquired brain injury, but acquired epileptic aphasia has been viewed as a form of APD. Also includes transient aphasia as a prodromal or episodic symptom. However, the repeated seizure activity within language regions may also lead to chronic, and progressive aphasia. Aphasia is also listed as a rare side-effect of the fentanyl patch, an opioid used to control chronic pain aphasia Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here... Absence seizure an inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements that is symptomatic of some central nervous system disorders and injuries and not due to muscle weakness ataxia also known as drop seizures, are characterized by a sudden loss of muscle tone, which can cause the person to drop to the ground or fall if standing. These seizures can affect part or all of the body, leading to symptoms such as drooping eyelids or a nodding head. Atonic seizures are typically brief, lasting less than 15 seconds, and can be caused by various factors, including temporary alterations in brain function. Atonic seizure Ativan is the brand name for the medication Lorazepam. It is a medication belonging to the benzodiazepine class, primarily used to treat anxiety disorders and provide short-term relief from anxiety symptoms. It works by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, producing a calming effect. Additionally, lorazepam is effective for managing insomnia, panic attacks, and can be used in the treatment and prevention of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. However, it is important to note that lorazepam is a controlled substance and may lead to dependence or misuse, so it should be used under medical supervision. It is often used by doctors in the hospital to stop a seizure. ativan Neural systems that regulate attention serve to attenuate awareness among complex animals whose central and peripheral nervous systems provide more information than cognitive areas of the brain can assimilate. Within an attenuated system of awareness, a mind might be aware of much more than is being contemplated in a focused extended consciousness. awareness Automatism is a set of brief unconscious or automatic behaviors, typically at least several seconds or minutes, while the subject is unaware of actions. This type of automatic behavior often occurs in certain types of epilepsy, such as complex partial seizures in those with temporal lobe epilepsy or as a side effect of particular medications such as zolpidem. Automatic behaviors involve the spontaneous production of purposeless verbal or motor behavior without conscious self-control or self-censorship. This condition can be observed in a variety of contexts, including schizophrenia, dissociative fugue, Tourette syndrome, epilepsy (in complex partial seizures and Jacksonian seizures), narcolepsy, or in response to a traumatic event. Automatic behavior can also be exhibited in REM sleep, during which a higher amount of brain stimulus increases dreaming patterns. In such circumstances, subjects can hold conversations, sit up, and even open their eyes. These acts are considered subconscious as most of the time the events cannot be recalled by the subject. Automatic behavior may also manifest while performing well-learned actions. In this case, the behavior becomes automatic because it does not require conscious monitoring. The seemingly purposeful task is performed with no clear memory of it happening Automatisms Aura is a medical term that refers to a peculiar sensation preceding the appearance of more definite symptoms. It is a perceptual disturbance experienced by some with epilepsy or migraine. An epileptic aura is a seizure. Aura is also defined as a sensation perceived by a patient that precedes a condition affecting the brain. It is a subjective sensation experienced at the onset of a neurological condition and especially a migraine or epileptic seizure Aura Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here... Autoimmune The autonomic nervous system is a complex network of cells that controls the body’s internal state. It regulates and supports many different processes, often outside of a person’s conscious awareness. What is the autonomic nervous system? Anatomy Function What affects how it works? Disorders and causes Disorder symptoms Seeing a doctor Testing Summary The autonomic nervous system is a complex network of cells that controls the body’s internal state. It regulates and supports many different processes, often outside of a person’s conscious awareness. Anatomy The ANS helps to regulate many of the body’s internal functions, such as heart rate. The nervous system is a collection of cells that send and receive electrical and chemical signals throughout the body. The nervous system consists of two main parts: The central nervous system: This consists of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system: This contains all the neurons outside of the central nervous system. The ANS is part of the peripheral nervous system. It is a collection of neurons that influence the activity of many different organs, including the stomach, heart, and lungs. Within the ANS, there are two subsystems that have mostly opposing effects: The sympathetic nervous system (SNS): Neurons within the SNS generally prepare the body to react to something in its environment. For example, the SNS may increase heart rate to prepare a person to escape from danger. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS): Parasympathetic neurons mostly regulate bodily functions when a person is at rest. Function The nervous system regulates the internal environment of the body. It is essential for maintaining homeostasis. Homeostasis refers to the relatively stable and balanced conditions inside the body that are necessary to support life. Some of those that homeostasis regulates include: body temperature blood pressure heart rate breathing metabolism blood glucose levels blood acidity levels water and electrolytes digestion The ANS receives information from the environment and other parts of the body and regulates the activity of the organs, accordingly. The ANS is also involved in the following bodily functions: producing bodily fluids, such as sweat urination sexual responses One critical function of the ANS is to prepare the body for action through the “fight or flight” response. If the body perceives a threat in the environment, the sympathetic neurons of the ANS react by: increasing heart rate widening the airways to make breathing easier releasing stored energy increasing strength in the muscles slowing digestion and other bodily processes that are less important for taking action These changes prepare the body to respond appropriately to a threat in the environment. The nervous system consists of two main parts: The central nervous system: This consists of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system: This contains all the neurons outside of the central nervous system. The ANS is part of the peripheral nervous system. It is a collection of neurons that influence the activity of many different organs, including the stomach, heart, and lungs. Within the ANS, there are two subsystems that have mostly opposing effects: The sympathetic nervous system (SNS): Neurons within the SNS generally prepare the body to react to something in its environment. For example, the SNS may increase heart rate to prepare a person to escape from danger. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS): Parasympathetic neurons mostly regulate bodily functions when a person is at rest. Function The nervous system regulates the internal environment of the body. It is essential for maintaining homeostasis. Homeostasis refers to the relatively stable and balanced conditions inside the body that are necessary to support life. Some of those that homeostasis regulates include: body temperature blood pressure heart rate breathing metabolism blood glucose levels blood acidity levels water and electrolytes digestion The ANS receives information from the environment and other parts of the body and regulates the activity of the organs, accordingly. The ANS is also involved in the following bodily functions: producing bodily fluids, such as sweat urination sexual responses One critical function of the ANS is to prepare the body for action through the “fight or flight” response. If the body perceives a threat in the environment, the sympathetic neurons of the ANS react by: increasing heart rate widening the airways to make breathing easier releasing stored energy increasing strength in the muscles slowing digestion and other bodily processes that are less important for taking action These changes prepare the body to respond appropriately to a threat in the environment. Autonomic Nervous System Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here... benign Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here... coma Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here... clonic Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here... comorbities Convulsions are rapid involuntary muscle contractions. They can be caused by several different conditions, including brain tumors, cardiac arrhythmia, eclampsia, hypoglycemia, rabies, sudden drop in blood pressure, tetanus, and uremia. If a person is experiencing convulsions, the first thing to do is ensure they are safe. Seizure symptoms may include temporary confusion, a staring spell, jerking movements of the arms and legs that can't be controlled, loss of consciousness or awareness, and cognitive or emotional changes. There are different types of seizures, including focal onset seizures, generalized onset seizures, and unknown onset seizures.. convulsion

seizure living, seizure information, facts about epilepsy, books to read about epilepsy, seizures, & mental health, epilepsy compassion, seizure surgery personal information & pictures, blogging about relevant issues, no donations needed or email updates Hello About Me Login/Create Account Members My 5 Brain Surgeries File Share Search Blah Blah Blah Blog Contact Epilepsy News Epilepsy Facts New Epilepsy Terminology Phases of a Seizure Best Seizure Doctors The Why, What, & How of Seizures Glossary of Medical Terms Read My Epilepsy Journey Epilepsy Compassion International YOU ARE MORE THAN A DISORDER Teens & Epilepsy Being constantly unwell is challenging, especially when it's invisible to others. Epilepsy is invisible until we have a seizure. Then we are treated differently, ignored, or made fun of by obtuse people. The worst is when people or friends become afraid of being around us. It's hard enough to go through a life-altering experience that makes you feel less than your "old" self. When the people you love confirm it with their actions you want to be transported back in time before epilepsy happened to you. After 30 years & 5 brain surgeries you'd think I would just give up when it becomes too tough, but I won't give epilepsy my life. Fuck that. I was made strong & I will act strong even if I don't feel it. People always remember the bad things, so I advise that you stop caring about other people's feelings so you can concentrate on YOU. 1 Driving & Epilepsy It's tough to feel left out, but it's essential to understand that your independence isn't defined by your limitations—like driving. Remember, these rules are in place for your safety and the safety of everyone around you. Embrace the idea that friends can be your "chauffeurs," supporting you through this phase. If they're not stepping up, it might be time to reconsider who your true friends are. Moving On 2 3 How do I know if I have Epilepsy? IF YOU'VE HAD A SEIZURE WITH NO PRIOR HISTORY OF SEIZURES YOU NEED TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR. Wait! There's More About ECI At Epilepsy Compassion International, we are dedicated to assisting individuals and families affected by epilepsy through education, advocacy, and community engagement. I take pride in sharing my journey, as an epilepsy diagnosis can be a truly transformative experience. While many face hardships, it's essential that we don't allow our trauma to define us. Always remember, you are more than just a condition, disorder, or injury. Join us in creating a world where those impacted by epilepsy feel understood, empowered, and embraced. BECOME A MEMBER NOW! 1. NO DONATIONS OR PURCHASES NEEDED 2. NO UNWANTED EMAILS OR TEXTS 3. GAIN ACCESS TO EPILEPSY INFORMATION FROM SCHOLARLY ARTICLES 4. CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY AT YOUR CONVENIENCE BY VISITING THE BLAH BLAH BLOG PAGE. POST A QUESTION OR OFFER HELP BY ANSWERING OTHERS' QUESTIONS. EPILEPSY FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW "Sign Up to leave comments, ask a question or answer questions from the Blah Blah Blah BLOG community members!!"- Kerri Croake kerri@epilepsycompassion.com or info@epilepsycompassion.com 917-385-9775 mobile Join ECI You're now a part of something bigger then yourself. You should be proud & we are honored to have you. Epilepsy Compassion International Don't miss out on our File Share page! Dive in to download vital facts about epilepsy and equip yourself with knowledge that truly makes a difference. Stay informed and empowered! GO THERE NOW! My Books Book 1 Quick View My Moment of Impact Price $20.00 Excluding Sales Tax | Shipping Policy Add to Cart Book 2 Quick View My Moment of Madness Price $20.00 Excluding Sales Tax | Shipping Policy Add to Cart Book 3 Quick View My Moment of Salvation Price $20.00 Excluding Sales Tax | Shipping Policy Add to Cart Book 4 Quick View My Moment of Survival Price $20.00 Excluding Sales Tax | Shipping Policy Add to Cart NEW Quick View A Day in Kerri's Life: A Children's Book About Epilepsy, Friendship, and Courage Price From $5.00 Excluding Sales Tax | Shipping Policy Add to Cart

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Why seizures happen, how it happens and what happens to your brain & body WHY, WHAT & HOW of SEIZURES

I've had epilepsy for thirty years, had five brain surgeries, and still take medication. I'm no different than anyone else I just want to inform people that it could be worse. MY FUN TIMES WITH EPILEPSY Tap into Your Strength After Trauma. There isn't anything special about me. I'm one of three million Americans that have epilepsy. I was diagnosed in college and that wasn't fun. I went to the wrong type of doctor, a neurologist and not an epileptologist, who put me on two different medications. I finally found the right doctors. I learned a lot about the brain and the Central Nervous System. I was a Bio major, so I had an interest in how the body worked; however, I never imagined that I would be "the patient". But I am and always will be, despite being told by my first neurologist that I would grow out of it! I thought he was the one with a neurological disorder after he said that to me. I was skeptical of his prognosis and was correct. I didn't want to be, but I just knew. I've spoken with dozens of people with epilepsy or their family members. What I hear the most is, "the doctor said he/she/they will grow out of it." After graduation I eventually worked as an IT systems engineer in NYC. It was a stressful job, but I never used to get stressed out. It was the little things that affected me- loud, crowded areas give me migraines, not remembering names of people, wearing my sunglasses to the movies and TV shows I had previously seen but forgot I had watched. When I don't remember I tell myself "Everything is new and exciting." My new hobby is writing about my epilepsy journey. There wasn't anything on-line about epilepsy and I feel like it's my destiny to give back to the people like me who thought they were alone living with epilepsy. Then I had brain surgery. Most patients have a two-stage craniotomy, and they have a reduction in seizures or never have another seizure. I joke that I am 'Murphy's Law' because I needed a three-stage craniotomy. A year after that I needed a cranioplasty. My skull never fused back the way it was supposed to, so I needed a partial skull replacement. After four years of migraines my neurosurgeon took skull x-rays. He noticed that I had a screw loose, but when he opened up my head it wasn't a screw that was my problem. The methyl methacrylate, a polymer that is often used to hold the titanium skull in place, had rippled. They "sanded" my plastic, titanium skull to smooth out the ridges and I went home the same day. There are things that will trigger my seizures, and I avoid them. It's not the worst thing in the world to have epilepsy. Despite missing part of the right side of my temporal lobe, hippocampus and amygdala I live a life that I can be happy and proud of not because I'm a hero. It's because I choose to be happy. We all have to make that choice every day. THAT'S MY STORY AND I'M STICKING TO IT!

I've always said to others that people with epilepsy have different types of seizures, but we go through the same emotions. prodomal phase I've never heard of this phase, but I've experienced it. Before I read about this, I thought I was nuts. I would feel "seizurey" for a day and the next day I would have one. So, if you're feeling "off" and cannot explain it- don't bother & don't worry. It may mean nothing, or it could be your body telling you that you are overly tired & stressed, amongst other things. Read More > early ictal (an aura) After my brain surgery, I started to experience auras. I notice a heightened awareness (it's difficult to explain), followed by nausea, and then my seizure occurs about two minutes later. Sometimes, I may have an aura without experiencing a seizure, even though technically, an aura is considered a type of seizure. Read More > ictal phase The ictus phase marks the start of your seizure. While there are various types of seizures, this phase specifically refers to the occurrence of your seizure. During my seizures, I can't speak, move, and am either unconscious or semi-aware. I know that I'm having a seizure, but can't move because my muscles are rigid. Read More > post ictal The recovery period following a seizure is called the post-ictal phase. Some people recover immediately, while others may require minutes, hours or days to feel like they’re back at their baseline. The length of the post-ictal stage depends directly on the seizure type , severity, and region of the brain affected. Typical symptoms include: Arm or leg weakness Body soreness Confusion Difficulty finding names or words Drowsiness Feelings of fear, embarrassment, or sadness General malaise Headaches/migraines Hypertension Memory loss Nausea Thirst Read More > Seizure implies an uncontrolled and an abnormal electrical activity that takes place in the cells of a human brain. Nerve cells transmit signals from and to the human brain in any of the two ways- 1. The alteration of the concentration of salts, such as calcium, potassium and sodium within the cell Releasing of chemicals i.e. neurotransmitters i.e. gamma amino butyric acid. 2. Changes in the concentration of salts conduct impulse from a particular end present in the nerve cell to another one. Finally, it releases a neurotransmitter responsible for carrying the impulse to the other nerve cell. These neurotransmitters either reduce or stop communication in between different cells or stimulate the process to cause excitatory neurotransmitters.

Search for the best epilepsy doctors around the world. Best Seizure Docs & More All relevant information for persons with epilepsy in order to gain the knowledge needed to understand & navigate your life with epilepsy. Find an Epilepsy Specialist Find a doctor who can help to diagnose & treat your seizure disorder Resources for Managing Seizures Explore resources that help you manage, track, and lessen the chance of seizures. Epilepsy Treatment How healthcare professionals will address your epilepsy if you haven't yet seen Epilepsy Specialist or Epileptologist. Work with Your Healthcare Team Learn what healthcare insurance your doctor takes so you don't pay OOP (out-of-pocket) for drugs, tests, admissions or surgery. Seizure Medication List information on epilepsy medications to help you choose the right one. Current Seizure Research Talk with your doctor about the best course of action to reduce seizures. Read medical journals to learn more about your condition & be a part of the conversation with your doctor. What is an Epilepsy Center? If you don’t know what type of seizures you have or you have trouble controlling your seizures, we recommend finding an epilepsy center. Epilepsy centers provide you with a team of specialists to help you diagnose your epilepsy and explore treatment options. Their goal is to get you the best seizure control possible. Treatments may include medications, surgery, devices, and dietary therapy. Your team will have experts from many backgrounds, which may include: epileptologists (seizure experts), neurosurgeons, social workers, nutritionists, and EEG technologists. Having such a well-rounded team means they can help you create holistic approach to your treatment.Find an Epilepsy Center Near YouThe National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) supports strong specialized epilepsy centers. NAEC’s search tool can help you find an epilepsy center in your area or state. Video Channel Name Sign in Video Channel Name Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Search video... All Categories All Categories Categories Now Playing Video Title 00:23 Play Video Now Playing Video Title 00:32 Play Video Now Playing Video Title 00:29 Play Video Now Playing Video Title 00:31 Play Video Living With Epilepsy: Tips, Causes, and Treatments | Mass General Brigham

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