If You Happen to Witness a 'Seizure' on the Street? ... 'Epilepsy' Can Be Managed with Medication for Daily Life

[Image source=Clipart Korea]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] What if you happen to see someone having a seizure on the street? Epilepsy, which was called ‘ganjil’ (epilepsy) until 10 years ago, is a disease that manifests with seizure symptoms, so many people have misunderstandings and prejudices about it.

Recently, at the Miss Dallas USA pageant in the United States, 17-year-old girl Allison Appleby, who has epilepsy and participated with the help of her assistance dog ‘Brady,’ won the crown, drawing attention. She revealed that she always stays with ‘Brady’ and receives help because epilepsy seizures can cause sudden loss of consciousness or temporary paralysis.

The human brain thinks, speaks, and moves by exchanging subtle electrical signals between cells. The brain, which controls all physical and mental functions, can cause symptoms such as convulsions or loss of consciousness when nerve cells are inhibited or excessively excited due to various causes, resulting in parts or the whole body moving uncontrollably. This is called an epileptic seizure.

Epilepsy can occur at any age. In children and adolescents, common causes include genetics, infections, metabolic diseases, and unknown causes, while in adults and the elderly, trauma, stroke, side effects of medications, dementia, and degenerative neurological diseases are considered important causes.

Seizures vary depending on the location and intensity of the affected brain area, ranging from eyelid blinking to severe whole-body shaking or grand mal seizures where the whole body stiffens and foams at the mouth.

Detailed medical history is important for diagnosis, but most patients lose consciousness during seizures and cannot explain their symptoms themselves. Therefore, it is helpful to visit the hospital with a witness who observed the seizure or bring a video recording of the symptom manifestation if possible.

Along with the interview, EEG and MRI tests can be performed to check seizure characteristics, epilepsy risk factors, and the presence of other neurological diseases.

Initially, medication treatment is administered. Instead of performing surgery first, anticonvulsants are prescribed to stabilize and regulate the excessively excited brain cells.

About 70% of patients can control symptoms through medication and live daily life without problems. However, if seizures continue despite long-term appropriate anticonvulsant treatment, it is considered refractory epilepsy, and surgery may be considered.

Dr. Kang Tae-ho, a neurologist at Daedong Hospital, said, “Many people misunderstand epilepsy as an incurable and frightening disease, but it is a condition that can be managed well enough to live daily life through treatment, so it should be viewed without prejudice.” He advised, “People who see an epileptic seizure for the first time may be shocked and confused, and might unconsciously grab the patient or shake them to wake them up, but it is better to make the surrounding environment safe until the seizure stops.”

Dr. Kang added, “If you find a person having an epileptic seizure, first calmly turn the patient on their side to prevent choking, loosen ties or belts to make breathing easier, and use 119 emergency services to get hospital treatment.”

Most seizures naturally recover over time, but if they last more than 5 minutes or if another seizure occurs before consciousness returns after a seizure, it can threaten the patient’s life.

Also, clear surrounding objects to prevent injury and watch the patient until the seizure ends or the 119 paramedics arrive. At this time, never forcibly open the patient’s mouth or put medicine in their mouth. Do not prick their fingers with needles or forcibly hold their limbs.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.