Children with Disabilities

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a physical abnormality that takes place when the brain suddenly "malfunctions." When brain cells are functioning improperly, consciousness and motor skills may be temporarily affected. These physical alterations are referred to as epileptic seizures, which explains why epilepsy is sometimes labeled as a seizure disorder.

Just because you experience a seizure does not mean you have epilepsy. For instance, if a child has a high enough temperature, they could potentially have convulsions. Additional kinds of seizures that are not categorized under epilepsy are triggered by chemical imbalance or drug and alcohol withdrawal.

People of all races in any country can have epilepsy. An astounding two million Americans suffer from the disorder, including about 125,000 more diagnoses annually. As many as 50 percent of these new cases involve children and teens.

Possible signs

Even though the following list could indicate any number of conditions, you should see a doctor if you are experiencing signs of epilepsy. The symptoms include:

• Blackouts or spans when you don't remember what happened.
• Blank stares or random episodes of unresponsiveness.
• Uncontrollable arm and leg movement.
• Bouts of fainting that may be followed by extreme exhaustion.
• Hallucinations during which you may hear odd noises and experience inexplicable fear.

Types of seizures

Epileptics can suffer from two distinct seizures:

• Generalized -- involves all brain cells. Some generalized seizures come in the form of an unconscious convulsion, while others are more subtle, consisting of short-term intensified gazing.
• Partial -- involves a portion of brain cells confined to one section. Partial seizures are often characterized by states of altered consciousness and "automatic behavior," or engagement in a routine act such as zipping or unzipping your coat. If you pay close attention, this sort of behavior can appear unusual because it is performed unconsciously and may involve repetition. Often, the person does not remember performing the action.

If your child has been diagnosed with epilepsy or has suffered from seizures believed to be linked to epilepsy, contact a Florida brain injury attorney to discuss your legal rights.