Summary
Sometimes you lose control of your mind and body for a while. Your doctor says you have ‘epilepsy’. But what causes it and what does it do to you? We learn all about it.
Mixed signals
To find the cause of epilepsy, we go inside your brain. This is where we find special nerve cells that we call ‘neurons’. They use electricity to talk to each other. But if you have epilepsy, sometimes your neurons get a little confused. They send messages that don’t make sense. And while this is happening, your mind and body do some unusual things. We call this a ‘seizure’.
Convulsions
What happens during epileptic seizures? Well, not all seizures are the same. You may suddenly feel worried or confused. You may see, hear or smell things that are not really there. Your body may start to move in strange ways. You may feel frozen in place, perhaps you fall and jerk around. Your seizures may last a few minutes. And when it is over, you may not know what has happened or where you are. Different children have different types of seizures.
Staying safe
So what do we do about epilepsy? Well, we try to prevent you from having seizures. Some guys take medication for that. There may also be other things you can do. Your doctor will give you a plan to stay safe.
Overview
Sometimes you lose control of your mind and bodyfor a little while. Your doctor says you have”epilepsy.” But what causes it, and what does it doto you? Let’s learn all about it.
Mixed signals
To find the cause of epilepsy, let’s go inside yourbrain. This is where we find special nerve cells wecall “neurons.” They use electricity to talk to eachother. But if you have epilepsy, sometimes yourneurons get a little mixed up. They send messagesthat don’t make sense. And while this is happening,your mind and your body do some unusual things.We call this a “seizure.”
Seizures
What happens when you have a seizure? Well, notall seizures are the same. You may suddenly feelscared or confused. You may see, hear or smellthings that aren’t really there. Your body can start tomove in odd ways. Maybe you feel frozen in place.Maybe you fall down and jerk around. Your seizurecan last for a few minutes. And when it’s over, youmay not know what happened or where you are.Different kids have different types of seizures.
Staying safe
So, what do we do about epilepsy? Well, we try tokeep you from having seizures. Some kids takemedicine for this. There may be other things youcan do, too. Your doctor will give you a plan to staysafe.
