2008 Woodie Awards
Health center gives tips on living with epilepsy
People can call college health center to report seizures.
By GiGi Loven
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: Pulse
Originally published: 12/3/08 at 6:35 PM CSTLast update: 12/8/08 at 12:53 PM CST
Students on campus living with epilepsy can turn to the college health center for medical support and assistance.
Paula Daggett, coordinator of the college health center, has seen students with epilepsy over the years.
"If you see someone unconscious, shaking, eyes closed, frothing or bleeding from the mouth they are probably having a seizure," the registered nurse said.
According to The Epilepsy Foundation, a seizure happens when the electrical system of the brain malfunctions. Instead of discharging electrical energy in a controlled manner, the brain cells keep firing. The result may be a surge of energy through the brain, causing unconsciousness and contractions of the muscles.
People with epilepsy can suffer with different types of seizures. The kind of seizure a person has depends on which part and how much of the brain is affected by the electrical disturbances that produce seizures.
Daggett has seen students with an absence petit mal seizure and generalized tonic-clonic grand mal seizures.
The Epilepsy Foundation characterizes the absence petit mal seizure lasting a duration of two to 15 seconds.
Some of the seizure symptoms are staring, eyes fluttering, lip smacking, picking at their clothes and fumbling. After the seizure, the person may not remember the seizure and may promptly resume their activity.
The generalized tonic-clonic grand mal seizure is the most common and best known. Some of the seizure symptoms are stiffening of the limbs, followed by involuntary movement of the limbs and face. After the seizure, the person may not remember it and become confused.
Some people who have epilepsy have no special seizure triggers, and others are able to recognize things in their lives that affect them.
"If you notice a person having a seizure, turn them on their side if possible, and any fluids will come out of their mouth and not choke them," Daggett said. "Do not put anything in their mouth. The seizure should last a few seconds to a minute on the average."
The college health center wants to be notified if you are a student living with a seizure disorder or see someone on campus having a seizure.
"We normally know people that have seizure disorders and not all seizures require emergency care. If the person suffers a head injury or has broken something, call 911," she said.
The college health center does an assessment of the individual. The blood pressure and pulse are taken. Their medications, sleeping habits and nutrition are discussed.
Daggett has seen three students with epilepsy this semester who have experienced seizures that led to falls, knocking out teeth and dislocating a shoulder.
Daggett's message to students on campus living with epilepsy is:
"If you have a seizure disorder let us know. If you do have a problem on campus, it will help us provide you with better care."
The college health center is open from 8 a,m.-9 p,m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a,m.-5 p.m. Friday in Room 119 of Chance Academic Center. Call 733-2790.
For after-hour emergencies, call campus police at 222-0911.
For additional information go to the Epilepsy Foundation Web site at www.epilepsyfoundation.org.
Paula Daggett, coordinator of the college health center, has seen students with epilepsy over the years.
"If you see someone unconscious, shaking, eyes closed, frothing or bleeding from the mouth they are probably having a seizure," the registered nurse said.
According to The Epilepsy Foundation, a seizure happens when the electrical system of the brain malfunctions. Instead of discharging electrical energy in a controlled manner, the brain cells keep firing. The result may be a surge of energy through the brain, causing unconsciousness and contractions of the muscles.
People with epilepsy can suffer with different types of seizures. The kind of seizure a person has depends on which part and how much of the brain is affected by the electrical disturbances that produce seizures.
Daggett has seen students with an absence petit mal seizure and generalized tonic-clonic grand mal seizures.
The Epilepsy Foundation characterizes the absence petit mal seizure lasting a duration of two to 15 seconds.
Some of the seizure symptoms are staring, eyes fluttering, lip smacking, picking at their clothes and fumbling. After the seizure, the person may not remember the seizure and may promptly resume their activity.
The generalized tonic-clonic grand mal seizure is the most common and best known. Some of the seizure symptoms are stiffening of the limbs, followed by involuntary movement of the limbs and face. After the seizure, the person may not remember it and become confused.
Some people who have epilepsy have no special seizure triggers, and others are able to recognize things in their lives that affect them.
"If you notice a person having a seizure, turn them on their side if possible, and any fluids will come out of their mouth and not choke them," Daggett said. "Do not put anything in their mouth. The seizure should last a few seconds to a minute on the average."
The college health center wants to be notified if you are a student living with a seizure disorder or see someone on campus having a seizure.
"We normally know people that have seizure disorders and not all seizures require emergency care. If the person suffers a head injury or has broken something, call 911," she said.
The college health center does an assessment of the individual. The blood pressure and pulse are taken. Their medications, sleeping habits and nutrition are discussed.
Daggett has seen three students with epilepsy this semester who have experienced seizures that led to falls, knocking out teeth and dislocating a shoulder.
Daggett's message to students on campus living with epilepsy is:
"If you have a seizure disorder let us know. If you do have a problem on campus, it will help us provide you with better care."
The college health center is open from 8 a,m.-9 p,m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a,m.-5 p.m. Friday in Room 119 of Chance Academic Center. Call 733-2790.
For after-hour emergencies, call campus police at 222-0911.
For additional information go to the Epilepsy Foundation Web site at www.epilepsyfoundation.org.
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