03 Apr 2018

First time experience with seizures can be scary especially when they are so sudden that they take one by surprise. 

Whether from personal experience or witnessing somebody lying on the floor having a seizure, one would not  know what to do or when it would end and this could be a frightening experience.

Most associated with seizures is Epilepsy; a neurological disorder in which the brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behaviour, sensations and sometimes loss of awareness.

Giving an insight on what Epilepsy is, its causes and how to respond in the event of seizures, public health medicine specialist at Princess Marina Hospital, Dr Onkgopotse Phutshwane-Katse, said Epilepsy had no identifiable cause in about half the people with the condition.

She said Epilepsy, Often referred to as leebana or go wa mototwane in Setswana, may be traced to various factors including genetic influence (some seizures run in the family), head trauma, brain conditions such as brain tumors or strokes, infectious diseases such as meningitis, AIDS and viral encephalitis, prenatal injury and developmental disorders.

 “Seizure symptoms can vary widely and some people with Epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs.

However, having a single seizure does not mean one has Epilepsy,” she said.

She said while it affected both males and females of all races, ethnic backgrounds and ages, at least two unprovoked seizures were generally required for an Epilepsy diagnosis.

Dr Phutshwane-Katse explained that because Epilepsy was caused by abnormal activity in the brain, seizures could affect any process the brain coordinated.

“Seizure signs and symptoms may include temporary confusion, a staring spell, uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs, loss of consciousness or awareness and psychic symptoms such as fear, anxiety or déjà vu (feeling like one has seen something before),” she said.

She further said symptoms varied depending on the type of seizure and in most cases, a person with Epilepsy would tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms would be similar from episode to episode.

Dr Phutshwane-Katse noted that it was important to seek immediate medical help if the following occurred; the seizure lasts more than five minutes, breathing or consciousness does not return after the seizure stops, a second seizure follows immediately, if one has fever, experiences heat exhaustion, one is pregnant, is diabetic and has injured themselves during the seizure.

She highlighted that having a seizure at certain times could lead to circumstances that were dangerous to the affected or others such as falling, drowning, car accidents, pregnancy complications and emotional health issues. ENDS