Epilepsy in a child, like in an adult, is a rather complex disease, which, unfortunately, has not yet been adequately studied by specialists. The main cause of the appearance of pathology is brain damage. Moreover, trauma can occur both during the birth of the baby and later. Problems during the bearing of the fetus can also contribute to the development of epilepsy, for example, when the child’s brain is suffering from a lack of oxygen or has been damaged as a result of some kind of maternal illness.
This pathology has certain symptoms. As a rule, it manifests itself in the form of seizures, accompanied by convulsions, impaired mental or mental functions, paroxysmal seizures. The intensity and duration of such manifestations is different and depends on the severity of the disease, the adequacy of its treatment, and provoking factors. Epilepsy in a child can occur very rarely or seizures are monthly, and several times.
It should be noted that the attack is usually triggered by some kind of irritant, for example, a bright blinking light, taking medications or extreme excitation of the nervous system. Often a factor contributing to the development of the disease in childhood is fear. Typically, a seizure occurs during the onset of brain activity - before waking up or shortly after falling asleep, especially if the day was hard.
Epilepsy attacks in children have the following feature: before they start, the baby may feel a short heart rate, fever, or some kind of short-term mental disorder. It should be noted that the seizure can be large and small. In the first case, a person simply falls to the floor, he begins cramps, which are accompanied by a bluish and distorted facial features. At this time, the child may involuntarily describe himself or perform an act of defecation. After an attack, he may fall asleep. As a rule, the baby does not remember what happened to him during a seizure.
Epilepsy in a child is diagnosed only in a medical facility. It is not possible to make a diagnosis independently. To do this, we need special equipment: a study of brain activity using EEG, ECHO-EG. In addition, it is necessary to undergo an MRI to accurately assess the structure of organs, to identify whether there are pathologies, tumors, traumatic changes in the brain, and so on. It should be noted that the childhood form of this disease can recede over time, not interfere with the full life and development. However, such children still remain under the supervision of specialists.
Epilepsy in a child should be observed from the first attack. Therapy in this case is required. For this, the child should take certain
anticonvulsants, the dosage and type of which is prescribed only by the doctor. It is forbidden to engage in self-medication, since this disease is not a commonplace cold. You can not interrupt taking drugs, otherwise the frequency of seizures may increase. As for alternative methods of eliminating symptoms, they can be used as additional therapy, and even then only with the permission of a doctor.
Children with epilepsy should not be isolated from society. They can attend regular school and lead a normal life. In no case should the child feel flawed! Therefore, control over the condition and behavior of the patient should be soft and unobtrusive. What should you protect your child from? First, do not leave it alone near water (in the summer at sea or at home in the bathroom). And secondly, avoid overwork, stress and those irritants that can cause an attack. It is important to constantly take the prescribed drugs. Naturally, it does not hurt to increase the baby's immunity so that he is less exposed to other diseases. Try to limit the physical activity of the child, for this forget about the sports section. As for nutrition, it must be complete.