2008 Woodie Awards
The truth behind epilesy
Jamaur Barnes
Issue date: 4/13/05 Section: Lifestyles and Health
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells or neurons in the brain signal abnormally. With this, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes distributed, causing abnormal sensations, emotions, and behavior, or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness.
Epilepsy is an illness with many possible causes. Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of neuron activity-from illness, to brain damage, to an abnormal brain development can lead to seizures. Having a seizure does not classify one as epileptic, only when a person has had two or more seizures are they considered epileptic. These seizures are referred to as "Epileptic Seizures."
According to www.prnewswire.com, about 2.5 million persons have already been affected by the disease.Hitting even closer to home, an estimated 350,000 African Americans currently have epilepsy, with 24,000 new cases being diagnosed yearly. "It's a very scary thing to think that in addition to all the other disorders such as HIV, Parkinson's, and high blood pressure, we as a community, must now look out for epilepsy," said junior Cerissa Edwards.
Epilepsy is not contagious and it is treatable, which some are unaware of. It can usually be treated with seizure preventing medication, although the medication is not a cure, it does suppress the illness and its symptoms. Epilepsy can also be controlled with frequent blood tests, proper dieting, and anti-epileptic and anti-convulsant drugs.
While it is a health hazard, epilepsy is generally not the kind of condition that gets worse with time. Most who are living with the disorder can expect to live a normal life.
"My oldest brother has epilepsy, and many people are scared of him or don't want to be around him," said junior Shontae Parker. "They think he is abnormal in some kind of way, but they are ignorant to the fact that this thing does not stop your life, nor does it make or break you as a person. You encounter people daily who are impacted by this illness and you would never know it."
Many may believe that having epilepsy makes you different, but that is their mistake. Given the chance, one can still live a very active life. "People don't realize, this is not who you are, it's what you have, it's not your life it's just a part of it," Parker said.
Epilepsy is an illness with many possible causes. Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of neuron activity-from illness, to brain damage, to an abnormal brain development can lead to seizures. Having a seizure does not classify one as epileptic, only when a person has had two or more seizures are they considered epileptic. These seizures are referred to as "Epileptic Seizures."
According to www.prnewswire.com, about 2.5 million persons have already been affected by the disease.Hitting even closer to home, an estimated 350,000 African Americans currently have epilepsy, with 24,000 new cases being diagnosed yearly. "It's a very scary thing to think that in addition to all the other disorders such as HIV, Parkinson's, and high blood pressure, we as a community, must now look out for epilepsy," said junior Cerissa Edwards.
Epilepsy is not contagious and it is treatable, which some are unaware of. It can usually be treated with seizure preventing medication, although the medication is not a cure, it does suppress the illness and its symptoms. Epilepsy can also be controlled with frequent blood tests, proper dieting, and anti-epileptic and anti-convulsant drugs.
While it is a health hazard, epilepsy is generally not the kind of condition that gets worse with time. Most who are living with the disorder can expect to live a normal life.
"My oldest brother has epilepsy, and many people are scared of him or don't want to be around him," said junior Shontae Parker. "They think he is abnormal in some kind of way, but they are ignorant to the fact that this thing does not stop your life, nor does it make or break you as a person. You encounter people daily who are impacted by this illness and you would never know it."
Many may believe that having epilepsy makes you different, but that is their mistake. Given the chance, one can still live a very active life. "People don't realize, this is not who you are, it's what you have, it's not your life it's just a part of it," Parker said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 7
Mililanikeanuinui
posted 1/24/07 @ 3:52 PM CST
Hello from Hawaii I am a 23 year old eplileptic mother of three handsome boys. I have had epilepshy since 9 years old proir to that i fell from the back of a moving pick-up truck,and got a hair-pin fracture behind my right ear anyway thats when the seizures started but to make a long story short I have a problem with my seizures because of it I can never do anything that I loved to do for instance I love cooking but can no longer do that because of the dangers of having a seizure I can't go diving because of the danger of having a seizure in Hawaii thats really hard I have also had a seizure while holding my 11 month old son where I fell on him and luckily my husbad was there on Christmas none the less. (Continued…)
SHAMEEKA MCKINNEY
posted 6/01/07 @ 9:17 PM CST
HELLO I HAVE HAD SEIZURES FOR 10 YEARS NOW AND THEY HAVE BEEB CONTROLED WITH MEDICINE BUT THE SIDE OFFECT OF THE MEDICINE IS THE THING THAT GETS ME THEY SAY I HAVE TO TAKE A PILL TWICE A DAY BUT THEY ALSO SAY THIS MEDICINE WILL EVENTUALLY AFFECT YOUR LEVER, YOU CAN NOT HAVE KIDS TAKING THIS MEDICINE SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WHERE ANY OTHER OPTIONS THAN TO TAKE THIS MEDICATION!
jazz mitchell
posted 9/12/07 @ 9:24 PM CST
Hi i have had epilesy sinse i was 4. it's not easy havin this disorder.Some people may think your crazy because you shake but only if they knew what was wrong it would'nt be too funny. (Continued…)
Kay
posted 1/19/08 @ 11:31 AM CST
I want to know if Epilepsy is Genetical and hereditary, does it pass on to generations, and is it from maternal or paternal sides, can some one answer on this please
Karen
posted 3/20/08 @ 4:14 PM CST
When my 31/2 year old son is sleep he kicks his hands and feet. It appears that he is having a seizure yet his test were all neg. He will be having dental surgery in April and I am not sure if it is ok. (Continued…)
Annie
posted 11/11/08 @ 6:50 AM CST
I was wondering if my partner does not take his medication what are the symptoms for me to look out for, he had withdrawn into himself is this a symptom or am I just worrying
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