November is recognized as National Epilepsy Awareness Month. According to the World Health Organization, over 50 million individuals worldwide suffer from Epilepsy. To support those with Epilepsy, understanding how the disability works is essential to creating an understanding community.
Epilepsy is a nervous system disorder that can affect areas of the body and brain. The disorder can result from genetics, infections and metabolic problems. Epilepsy causes recurring seizures that can occur in specific areas of the brain or the whole brain itself.
Science teacher Dr. Mallika Srinivasan teaches biology at NDB and shares how specific parts of the nervous system can cause a seizure.
“[If the signal does not] go into the cell [or] from one cell to another, [a seizure] can happen. [Also], the reverse can happen and other cells may be firing too fast, or it’s not in the rhythm in which it should be” said Srinivasn.
“So somewhere, the pattern of nerve signaling in the brain is getting disrupted and it’s not normal.”
To help educate the public on ways to support individuals with Epilepsy, the CDC recommends learning how to administer First Aid to those in need.
When in a situation with someone who is experiencing a seizure, it is important to remain calm and remove any dangerous items away from the individual. Next, looking for any medical information near the person can be useful to find emergency contacts. It is also essential to time the seizure if it lasts more than five minutes. If it does go over the five-minute mark, call 911 or find immediate medical help.
While there is no known cure for Epilepsy, understanding the condition and educating the public is a great way to stay informed and build a more empathetic community.
