Health and Social CareEpilepsy

Introduction to Epilepsy IntroductionsTrainerAims of the SessionMixture of formal training/learning

activities/group work/individual work

Student introductions

Introduction to EpilepsyLearning Activity 1 and Ice

Breaker In groups of no more than 4

people per group spend 10 minutes talking about what you know about Epilepsy. Write down your discussion in bullet point format summarising what you have been talking about

Introduction to EpilepsyLearning Activity 2We will now spend a few minutes

talking about what each group has come up, starting with group …….

EpilepsyEpilepsy affects over 50 million

people worldwide and is the most common neurological condition

In the UK alone 75 people are newly diagnosed each day

Epilepsy is a physical conditionEpilepsy can affect a person at

any age without warning

EpilepsyThere are many different causesAround 30 different epileptic

syndromesOver 38 different seizure types Epilepsy can go into remission as

suddenly as it started It can stay with a person forever

Seizures and EpilepsyA person can have more than one

type of seizureTypes of seizure can change Over time With drug treatment

Definition of EpilepsyEpilepsy can be defined as:“A neurological condition causing

the tendency for repeated seizures of primary cerebral origin”

Physical Causes of Epilepsy

Head injury from accidentsBrain traumaStrokeBrain parasites Infections or diseases Scars on the brain Brain tumoursHead trauma and/or lack of oxygen

during birth

Genetic Causes of Epilepsy

Some people suffer from epilepsy because of a genetic pre-disposition

Idiopathic epilepsy is thought to have a genetic cause for example

A ‘low seizure threshold’ can be inherited in a small number of cases

Learning ActivityLearning Activity 3We need to see what you have

remembered about Epilepsy so farGoing round the group in turn I

want you to tell me a fact about Epilepsy

Starting with ……..

Care Value BaseBefore we start the next learning

activity we need to discuss the Care Value Base and your understanding of it

EmpowermentPeople working in health and

social care face dilemmas on a daily basis when working with clients

EMPOWERMENT is about the health and social care worker giving the client the right information to make INFORMED CHOICES

Diagnosing EpilepsyLearning Activity 4Working in groups of no more than

4 people What would you do if you

suspected that one of your clients may have Epilepsy?

Diagnosing EpilepsyLearning Activity 4Let’s go round the groups and see

what each have come up with

Points to RememberYou cannot take away the rights of

the client Striking a balance is tricky and

should involve empowering the client to make the right decision

Did You Know?Epilepsy is the second most

common brain disorder Epileptic seizures occur when a

massive group of neurons in the cerebral cortex suddenly begin to discharge in a highly organized rhythmic pattern

Effects of SeizuresSeizures cause temporary

disturbances of brain functions (e.g. motor control, responsiveness and recall) which typically last from seconds to a few minutes

Seizures may be followed by a period of confusion or sensory impairment that can persist for several hours

Functional Areas of the Brain

Recap on a Few Points . . . Epilepsy is a physical conditionThere are many epileptic

syndromes types and many seizure types

Types of seizure can change over time

End of Session Assessment

Testing your knowledge. . . . . . .

Before the final handouts.

ReferencesRichards, J. (1999) – Complete A –

Z Health & Social Care Handbook. London. Hodder & Stoughton.

Waugh, A., Grant, A. (2002) – Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. Edinburgh. Churchill Livingstone.

Epilepsy Research Foundation (www.erf.org.uk)