Every parent loves and adores their kids from the bottom of their heart. But what if their kids have a complaint of epilepsy? Then the peace goes away from their life. There is always fear in the heart and mind about what will happen if they are not present in that situation with their child.
Along with the child suffering from epilepsy, the parents are always afraid of social downfall. Due to this situation, neither the child nor their parents are comfortable socializing with others but this isn’t the right way to move forward. Knowing about epilepsy, understanding your child needs and knowing Dos and Don’ts for kids having epilepsy plays a major role.
What are the causes of epilepsy in children?
So first, let’s understand that the causes of epilepsy can be different in all children, and they can also be different due to age. While some forms of epilepsy are hereditary, many idiopathic epilepsy cases have unknown causes.
Some children develop epilepsy due to hereditary reasons. However, the exact cause of gene-induced epilepsy attack is not yet known.
Injuries to the head can cause seizures.
Some conditions that damage the brain, such as certain fevers, brain tumors, and infections, can also cause epilepsy.
Some developmental diseases, such as Angelman syndrome, neurofibromatosis, Down syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis, also increase the chances of epilepsy.
Changes in the brain’s structure are the cause of epilepsy in 3 to 10% of cases. Babies born with such structural changes may be at risk of epilepsy.
Children with autism may also experience epilepsy seizures in 3 to 10% of cases.
Congenital disabilities and chemical imbalances in the body can also cause epilepsy in babies.
How does childhood epilepsy affect a child’s life?
Children with epilepsy can participate in various activities and should be encouraged to do so. However, in cases where this condition is triggered by excitement or stress, there can be challenges. How epilepsy can affect your baby is given below:
If the child’s ability to learn is not affected by epilepsy, then a child with epilepsy has the same abilities and understanding as other children.
Epilepsy can cause behavioral problems in the child, and it is advisable to seek help from an Epilepsy counselor to deal with these.
While a child with epilepsy can mostly enjoy sports and games, it is best to take the necessary precautions and be supervised by adults based on the child’s epilepsy attack.
What can your child experience because of epilepsy?
A child whose epilepsy seizures are difficult to control may experience loss of energy, exhaustion, and problems with attention and behavior. A child’s social abilities and ability to learn may also be affected, leading to low self-esteem.
Children whose epilepsy seizures can also be controlled often experience emotional difficulty and may have behavioral and learning problems. In some cases, the family needs to give their child full support and help them come out of these challenges.
Dos and don’ts if a child has epilepsy?
Epilepsy can be challenging to care for and control. Therefore, you need to be prepared to handle the child in case of a seizure. Here are some points that can help you in the meantime:
Dos:
- Help the child to carefully lie down on the play mat on the floor and remove the objects around him to avoid any injury.
- Lay the child on his side to avoid choking due to vomiting or saliva.
- Loosen the collar or tie around his neck to help him breathe.
- Track the duration of the tour.
- Call the doctor after the epilepsy attack or if the seizure lasts more than 3 minutes.
- Stay with the child for the entire duration of the epilepsy seizure.
Don’ts:
- Don’t panic.
- Do not try to restrain from moving the child’s body movements during an epilepsy attack. This may hurt or cause discomfort to him.
- Do not put anything in the kid’s mouth, as this could cause him to choke.
- Do not give the baby food, medicine, or any liquids to avoid choking during a seizure.
- During a tonic-caesar, do not try to forcefully open the kid’s mouth, as this could injure your child or block his airways.
How to prevent epileptic seizures in a child?
- It is crucial to recognize the triggers of epilepsy seizures in your child, and it is imperative to take precautions to avoid these triggers.
- Make sure that your child gets enough rest, as lack of sleep can also trigger seizures.
- Wear protective gear such as a helmet when using a skateboard or while riding to prevent head injury.
- Remind your child to walk and step carefully to avoid falling.
- Avoid bright lights and loud noises, as these can trigger epilepsy seizures.
- Don’t forget to give your child anti-seizure medicine at the same time every day.
- Teach your child some stress management techniques, as stress can also trigger seizures.
When to consult a doctor?
Contact your doctor immediately if,
- Your child has had an epilepsy seizure that lasts more than 3 minutes because the baby may have had a long-lasting life-threatening seizure called status epilepticus.
- If your child is not able to breathe for more than 30 seconds.
- Injury to the head during a seizure, like an injury and damage to the brain, can occur during this procedure.
Things to remember-
If your child has epilepsy, it is compulsory to keep the following in mind:
- Epilepsy can be mistaken for some other disease, so it is essential to get the proper diagnosis.
- The type and severity of epileptic seizures are different in every child. Therefore, always take into account the characteristics of your child’s condition.
- Most epilepsy seizures can be controlled with anti-epileptic drugs, and the child can live a normal and healthy life.
Epilepsy can be different in every child, and before starting any treatment, it is critical to thoroughly understand the characteristics of your child’s condition.