Knowing: Epilepsy first aid can save a life

In many cases, people living with epilepsy either get serious injuries or worse, lose their lives when having epileptic seizures because people do not know how to help during an episode. Not only that, but the stigma around epilepsy caused by a lack of understanding of the condition also contributes to ignorance and, therefore, puts people’s lives at risk. The Monitor Correspondent Nnsaretha Kgamanyane writes

Following these easy steps might seem like nothing much to help in an epileptic episode – stay with the person and start timing the seizure; remain calm and check for medical identity; keep the person safe by moving away harmful objects and turn the person on their side if they are not awake and aware and do not block their airway. These steps are also vital when one has food particles in their mouth.

Also, put something small and soft under their head and loosen tight clothing around their neck. It is also important not to put anything in their mouth, be it water, food, or pills until the person is awake. It is also important not to restrain them when having seizures and stay with them until they are awake and alert after the seizure because most of the seizures end in a few minutes.

Addressing the audience at Gaborone International Convention Centre during the Young Epilepsy Botswana Eighth Purple Walk on recently, Goitsemang Morekisi whose son died from seizures called Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), said her son (Morekisi)’s death was a traumatic experience. His passing is especially hard on her as they had just talked for an hour about life and his plans. She said even though he had a well-paying job, he aspired to be a musician and had just released an album that he was supposed to launch before he died.

“SUDEP is very rare and the cause of it is unknown. It is also rare for an epilepsy patient who dies from SUDEP to have had injuries caused by a seizure.

“Most of them die healthy. However, in most cases, where one has a seizure they experience a change of breath and heart rhythm. I advise epileptic people to take their medications faithfully to avoid triggering a seizure.”

“They must also be open about their sickness and teach people around them how to care for them in case they have a seizure. It is important for them to get support from family, friends, colleagues and society so that when they get a seizure people know how to help them,” she said.

She further called on the public to refrain from stigma and myths saying in most cases epilepsy was referred to as ‘leebana’ where the patients are told not to eat bird meat as they are possessed by evil spirits and have to be prayed for, therefore, creating a stigma around the condition. She advised people with epilepsy to avoid stress and alcohol, take their medications and also learn about their seizures and avoid triggers.

She added that her son was always stressed when having presentations and always told his colleagues how to take care of him in case he experienced a seizure. She called on families and friends to support their loved ones with epilepsy. She said every person had their own disabilities either visible or not. She also called on the nation to learn basic first-aid steps to save the lives of epileptic people.

For her part, 13-year-old Katlego Matheakgomo who lives with epilepsy, said she was able to live her life to the fullest despite having the condition. She explained that she won various beauty pageants and had friends and family that love and support her despite being epileptic. Katlego was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2021 when she was just 11-years-old. At the time she was doing Standard Seven and was preparing for her Primary School Leaving Examinations that she passed with flying colours.

“I have seen my life change. My lifestyle changed. I could no longer do things in the ways I used to. I had to be cautious so as not to trigger a seizure. Playtime with friends changed.

As I had to accommodate medication time and it was never the same. I had to give up most of the things that I liked which were not good for me due to epilepsy. I had to subject myself to the doctor’s guide, which led me to where I am today. I live much better than before. When it comes to academics, I never allowed this condition to hinder me from excelling,” she said.

She added that even though she had seizures at school and had been laughed at by schoolmates, she never let them determine her worth because she knows her worth and what she wants in life. She decided to come up with a project under the Miss Teen Hope Queen title that teaches people and changes their perception of epilepsy. She teaches her schoolmates about epilepsy. She urges epilepsy warriors like her to be strong.

According to psycho-socio support expert, Morwadi Mosenki, people living with epilepsy experience trauma due to stigma. She said in schools, epileptic children had traumatic experiences involving their peers inflicting pain. She also pointed out that even the Setswana culture also exposed epileptic people to stigma. She added that they were hindered from eating some foods like chicken. She also said it was high time such myths are discarded. She added that there was a need for sexual reproductive health responsibility awareness for the public when it comes to people with epilepsy.

The deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health (MoH), Dr Morrison Sinvula described epilepsy as a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures, or periods of unusual behaviour, sensations and sometimes loss of awareness. He further explained that more children had epilepsy than adults. Sinvula also said in most cases individuals get epilepsy when they have had head injuries or when children happened to accidentally consume their faeces before birth. He added that even though SUDEP was rare, people who continue to have seizures are at greater risk of a number of complications, which is why preventing seizures and other problems was important.