Epilepsy Approach Support Group

Re: Re: Re: Epilepsy Approach Support Group

Submitted by angel_lts on Mon, 2007-01-15 - 14:04

SOme of the info was statistics for the US from online but the other half is from his sleep safe pillow site. Because he is in the UK he only has info for the UK Here is the info for the pillows on his sites Seizures and convulsions cause deaths and injuries. Each year, epilepsy alone causes about 1,000 deaths and 37,000 emergency hospital admissions, and breathing difficulties feature prominently in these cases. However, the total death toll from all causes of seizures and convulsions is certainly very much greater. Care problems and medication difficulties are the main causes, and around half the deaths are sudden and unexpected and occur usually at night. Most cases occur in ‘care settings’ – either in the patient’s own home or in a care home, and it has been estimated that a large proportion of these deaths are preventable. In all patient groups (younger, older and special needs) seizures and convulsions include not only epileptic seizures but also non-epileptic 'symptomatic' seizures resulting from other causes. These can include complications during childbirth, congenital and developmental problems, and the aftermath of meningitis, head injury and infection. The frequency of seizures associated with Down’s syndrome increases with age, and cerebral palsy is sometimes accompanied by seizures. In children and younger people, non-epileptic 'symptomatic' seizures can result from any the medical conditions described above. In older people, non-epileptic 'symptomatic' seizures can result from the aftermath of a stroke, brain tumour, head injury following a fall, or Alzheimer’s dementia. Diabetes and psychoactive drugs such as antidepressants and tranquilliser can precipitate seizures. In people of all ages with special needs, non-epileptic 'symptomatic' seizures can result from many of the medical conditions described earlier, while Lennox- Gastaut syndrome, Angelman syndrome and Rett syndrome are often accompanied by seizures. Also, certain types of childhood epilepsy are associated with learning difficulties. Breathing Difficulties can be caused by lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Other risk indicators include cystic fibrosis, heart failure, diabetes, and drugs that depress breathing. Cerebral palsy and uraemia are sometimes accompanied by seizures and breathing difficulties. Sleep-Safe pillows should not be used for babies and children under three years old. However, children who are ‘at risk’ should start using Sleep-Safe pillows as soon as possible and continue to use them for as long as they remain ‘at risk’. Sleep-Safe pillows are an aid in the management of medical conditions in which suffocation is a risk; they are not a substitute for the “duty of care”. Standards of nursing and social care and vigilance appropriate to the patient’s condition should be maintained. The 'newly made' firmness of Sleep-Safe pillows decreases as the pillows 'relax' with use, however the anti-suffocation properties remain unaffected. How can you safeguard someone from suffocation during seizures or breathing difficulties While they're asleep? Are you at risk? Epilepsy - aftermath of meningitis / stroke / brain tumour / head injury following a fall - Downs syndrome - cerebral palsy - complications during childbirth - congenital and developmental problems - medication side effects take care Lisa