Epilepsy among Children and Adults - Essay Example

Epilepsy and Nursing Epilepsy can be described as a group of disorder that has seizure as a symptom and it is a brain disorder. When the brain’s electrical system is disrupted, the person can get seizure and can have epilepsy. Abnormal electrical impulses result in change in behavior, movement, awareness and sensation of the person. The cause of epilepsy can be usually related to brain injury. Children and adult are mostly affected by epilepsy. As per, Fischer (2012 )“The definition of epilepsy does not specify an outer time limit for occurrence of the second unprovoked seizure”. The epilepsy happens when the electrical impulses bursting in brain escapes their normal limits. The electricity impulses can be transferred muscles resulting in convulsions and twitches. However the cause of epilepsy in many people is unknown. There are many types of seizures like idiopathic, generalized and partial epilepsy. As per, Better Health ( 2013) “Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and causes repeated seizures, also known as “fits”. Epilepsy is a common occurrence in UK and children with this disease encounter learning problems usually with writing, reading and comprehension. They may also need extra help with everyday skill. Many children and adults do not achieve much with epilepsy and the life is difficult when it comes to studies or work. This assignment looks at the role of adult, mental and child nursing in supporting the epilepsy patient and the cultural and psychological effect of the disease on the individual and family. This topic was chosen because epilepsy has an adverse effect on the patient and family members. There is lot of stigma around this disease and also patients experience disability. The seizures give rise to neurological disturbance and burden on family members. They also face problem in life as unemployment, educational disability and poor health. Cultural impact on epilepsy In UK, epilepsy is a common condition among children and adult. In a year, more than thousands of people die because of epilepsy. As per, Epilepsy Action ( 2012) “In 2009, 1,150 people died in the UK because of epilepsy, and most of these deaths were associated with seizures. The principal cause of seizure-related death is sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, accounting for an estimated 500 deaths each year”. The epilepsy has different effect on people and culture has certain significance to the disease onset. In UK, people lead a stressful life and it can contribute to the onset of disease. Also certain people are highly influenced to drugs and alcohol which can aggravate or result in epilepsy. The diet also contributes to the onset of disease as people indulge more on meat diet and consumer less of vegetables and fruits. Since in UK culture, smoking and drugs being an often scene, epilepsy occurrence is of high chance. Drug is a substance which can cause or worsen epilepsy. When alcohol is consumed the chances of seizure attack is high, so the people in such a culture need to avoid substance abuse and alcohol consumption to prevent or reduce the risk of epilepsy. As per, Epilepsy Action ( 2011) “ Alcohol consumption is often associated with late nights, sleep deprivation, missed meals and forgotten medications, all of which can trigger seizures. They should consume a balanced diet which contain all nutrients and live in a clean environment”. Psychology and epilepsy Psychology also has an impact on the health of a person who is suffering from epilepsy. Just as the disease has effect on the health of a person it also impacts the feeling of the patient. The person can feel uncertain about their health and have less control over their body. Many a times, the patient is fearful and anxious about their condition. The society also reacts negatively to people with epilepsy which makes them more nervous and embarrassed. They have lower self esteem and feel as a burden on others. As per, Hills (2007,pg.10-12 ) “Lower self-esteem can result from perception of the self as less competent than others and self-categorization as an “epilepsy patient” and consequent perception of stigma”. More often people with epilepsy have less confidence and vulnerable psychological condition. They may feel resentment, anger and desperation over their situation. Often people with epilepsy can feel depressed as they have problem in learning and getting employed. Epilepsy patients feel they are at the risk of seizure anytime and this developed anxiety, fear and lack of confidence in them. People during seizure can also encounter accidents which can sometimes prove fatal. As per Blum (1999,pg.2-6)“ During complex partial or tonic clonic seizures, the patient is not reactive to the environment and injuries can occur during driving, climbing ladders, or operating power tools. Patients have drowned while swimming or bathing in tubs”. So the psychological condition of epilepsy patients is fragile and depressive. Health Promotion Strategy Many health promotion strategies can be employed to prevent epilepsy and improve the health of individuals. People need to be made aware of the reason and causes for epilepsy. The cause of epilepsy needs to be understood by people, so that they can avoid the factors that can give way to epilepsy. People should know that stress, toxin, drug abuse, radiation and alcohol can make them more prone to epilepsy. Many people in developed countries still have less information of epilepsy and educating them about the disease and it is the best health promotion strategy. As per, England (2012,pg .266-276) “Education for people with epilepsy and their families plays an important role in adapting to life with epilepsy, developing self-confidence, and becoming competent in self-management, which entails being aware of ones own needs and being able to access resources to meet those needs”. One of the current global campaigns against epilepsy is Purple Day Campaign. As per ,Engel (2005,pg.67 )“The Global Campaign against Epilepsy is a prominent movement that aims to increase public awareness and education regarding epilepsy”. The Purple Day is a movement which creates awareness of epilepsy around the world. In 2008, this campaign was launched by Cassidy Megan to motivate people who struggle with epilepsy. The latest Purple Day campaign is a group operation which raised awareness among people in UK through fund raising. This was held on March 26th of this year. On this day, balloons, posters,stickers and purple day collection box signed were offered to encourage people to donate for epilepsy patients and create awareness among common men. Nurse role in Epilepsy treatment Being a health care provider, nurse has a prominent role in treating and caring for epilepsy patients. The nurse can give quality care to children and adults with epilepsy to health them mentally and physically. In nursing, there are three fields which are child nursing, adult nursing and mental health. A nurse can support and provide information to the epilepsy patients according to the condition of the patients. Child Nursing Child nursing involves taking care of sick new born baby to an adolescent and it includes healthy child development and minimize the impact of epilepsy on the child after admission at hospital. Children with epilepsy are anxious at first seizure attack and nurse need to ensure they are comfortable. In his article, Harrison (1998 ) writes that “Overall the nurse trained in epilepsy care was valued highly for providing advice and support, especially in explaining the social aspects of epilepsy”. Pediatric nurses are one who have expertise in child nursing and can care for the children with epilepsy in a comprehensive manner. As per, Clarkson (2011, pg 1-10) “For a child with a status of epilepsy, immediate priorities are airway management and seizure termination. Secure the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation. As needed, give oxygen, support ventilation, and establish I.V. access”. The nurse can reduce the anxiety and depression among children with epilepsy. The nurse has the responsibility to inform the patients to keep a diary of their seizure which helps them to record their epilepsy chronology. Young children can start this activity so that they can have control of their disease. Also, nurse can give them tips on what food to eat and what to avoid. Adult Nursing Adult nursing means taking care of adult patients who have epilepsy by supporting them with disease and by helping in easy recovery. The care of the nurse can improve the epilepsy recovery among patients. A nurse needs to build a rapport with the patient and build a connection with them to create a comfortable atmosphere. The personal relationship of nurse with a patient decides the recovery level of the patient. According to Jebb (2013 pg.29-33) “Nurses – and epilepsy specialist nurses in particular – can play a valuable role in managing epilepsy in older people”. A nurse needs to maintain a constant contact and can engage in informal conversation with the patient to make them more comfortable at hospital. It is important for nurse to give proper knowledge to patients on e medication and diet . Different medicines its effects and proper diet can be suggested to patients. Also, the families can be given information about the life style to be followed and precaution taken to avoid fatality during seizure. Also, the family need to be given advice on protecting head while seizure to avoid injury. The patient should be advised to wear loose clothing and live in dust free environment to make them comfortable. A nurse needs to understand the experience and perspective of the patient towards his problem and health. As per Khudhur (2012,pg 1-13) “The present findings revealed that psychological and mental health and patients perception domains affected by epilepsy more than physical domain most of the patients had a fear from death, sequences of the attack, hopelessness, which may affected their mental”. Professionals like NHS health trainers and dietician can also enhance the health of epilepsy patients. NHS health trainers have skill in education and can give ongoing support to epilepsy patients. Dieticians also help patients to control seizures with help of a controlled diet. As per, ( NHS (2014) “This diet requires the close supervision of a paediatric neurologist, or a paediatrician with a special interest in epilepsy, and a die titian trained in the use of diets for epilepsy”.They may prescribe a ketogenic diet to people with acute seizure problems. According to Nice (2012) “ New recommendations have been added for the pharmacological treatment of people with epilepsy, including the use of ketogenic diet”. Mental Health Nursing Nurse needs to put more effort to understand the mental anxiety, stress and threat in relation to epilepsy. The nurse needs to gain philosophical knowledge to treat the patient in the right way. As per, Chang (2013,pg 3-10) “Various psychiatric disorders were demonstrated after newly diagnosed epilepsy and closely related to general seizure and use of medical services for epilepsy. This shows a need for integrated psychiatric care for patients newly diagnosed with epilepsy, especially in the first year”. Nurse has to listen to the story of epilepsy and their experience in relation to it. The epilepsy patients can have disability and nurse in mental health need to help the patient cope with anxiety and stress. A psychotherapist can understand the psychological condition of the patient needs to improve their quality of life. As per, Fritzsche (2013,pg.263 -268) “Psychotherapy is considered the treatment of first choice; in prospective studies, it has been found to lower the frequency of dissociative seizures by at least 50%, or to eliminate them completely, in 50% to 80% of patients”. Also, social workers have a large role in showing empathy to the patient and it is necessary as it can relieve them from stress and anxiety. The patients need to given correct information on protecting head during seizure as falls can lead to neurological problems. And a neurologist can be of help in such cases. Conclusion Epilepsy is a brain disorder and patients can encounter seizure at many occasions. Epilepsy in UK is high and children and adult are more prone to epilepsy. The health and well being of a person has a huge role to play in cause of epilepsy and its prevention. Culture and environmental factors have an impact on the epilepsy occurrence. A culture where there is more stress, psychological trauma and pressure this disease can be prevalent. In UK, people live in a stressful environment and in such occasion epilepsy can be more prevalent. Also environment conditions can cues epilepsy as fluorescent light, radiation, toxin all can cause epilepsy. The heath promotion strategy developed by government can improve the health of individual and prevention of epilepsy. The education among public and social awareness towards epilepsy can reduce the risk towards the disease. Also the people need to be given more healthy living condition to stay away from epilepsy. Also the disorder can be kept in controlled if nurses can provide a comprehensive care plan to the epilepsy patients. A nurse needs to study the medical history, seizure history, and experience, social and psychological problems of the patient to provide a better care to them. Also the improvement chances of the disease and recurrence of the disease can be reduced by a nurse if the patient is approached in a professional manner. References Better Health. 2013. Epilepsy - Lifestyle issues. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Epilepsy_lifestyle_issues. [Accessed 23 April 14]. Blum, D, 1999. Total Impact of Epilepsy: Biological, Psychological, Social, and Economic Aspects. Barrow Quarterly, 15/1, 2-6. Chang, H.J, 2013. Psychiatric Disorders after Epilepsy Diagnosis: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study. PLOS , 10/3, 3-10. Clarkson, V.E, 2011. Understanding seizures in children. American Nurse Today, 6/10, 1-10 Epilepsy Action. 2011. Seizure Smart. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.epilepsy.org.au/si tes/default/files/Seizure%20Smart%20-%20Alcohol%20&%20Epilepsy.pdf. [Accessed 05 May 14]. Epilepsy Action. 2012. Background to epilepsy and national epilepsy guidance. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/professionals/healthcare/primary-care-resource-pack/section-1/background-epilepsy-national-guidance. [Accessed 27 May 14]. England, M.J, 2012. Epilepsy across the spectrum: Promoting health and understanding.Epilepsy and Beahvior, 25, 266-76. Engel, J, 2005. Epilepsy: Global Issues for the Practicing Neurologist. 2nd ed. New York: Demos Medical Publishing. Fritzsche, K, 2013. Dissociative Seizures: a Challenge for Neurologists and Psychotherapists. Dtsch Arztebl Int., 110/15, 263-68. Featherstone, V.A. 2009. An overview of epilepsy with a focus on the effects and implications of the condition for children and their families.. [ONLINE] Available at: http://usir.salford.ac.uk/9575/1/cerebra_review_3_dec_complete.pdf. [Accessed 23 April 14]. Fischer,R.S. 2012. An Operational Clinical Definition of Epilepsy. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ilae.org/Visitors/Centre/Documents/DefinitionofEpilepsy.pdf. [Accessed 28 May 14]. Hills, M.D, 2007. The psychological and social impact of epilepsy. Neurology Asia, 12/1, 10-12. Harrison,C. 1998. Young Epilepsy. [ONLINE] Available at: http://youngepilepsy.org.uk/d mdocum ents/debate-nursing.pdf. [Accessed 23 April 14]. Jebb, P, 2013. Identifying and managing. Nursing Times, 109/3, 29-33 Khudhur, I.A, 2012. Impact of epilepsy on patients physical and psychosocial functioning: Iraqi study. Health Science Journal, 6/3, 1-13. NICE. 2012. The Epilepsies ; the diagnosis and the management of the epilepsies in adults and children in primary and secondary care. [ONLINE] Available at: http://guid ance.nice.org .uk/CG137. [Accessed 19 May 14 NHS. 2012. Ketogenic diet in the management of epilepsy. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/health-professionals/clinical-guidelines/the-ketogenic-diet-in-the-management-of-epilepsy/. [Accessed 03 May 14]. Read More