4 Concerns About Epilepsy In Children

Health & Medical Blog

As a parent, having a child diagnosed with epilepsy can be overwhelming, and there are many unknowns about the whole diagnosis that lead to concerns. Here are four of the most common concerns addressed:

1. Could it be Another Problem? Once a child has had multiple seizures, they are typically diagnosed with epilepsy. However, it is entirely possible that it could be another condition, which is why it's important to schedule tests, such as an EEG, brain imaging, and blood tests. These other problems could be a stroke, problems with the heart, or even breathing problems. It's important that's it is definitely diagnosed as epilepsy by getting all the tests done. 
2. Could it be Short-Lived? This is always the hope, and yes, there is a chance that your child will outgrow the seizures as they age. In fact, many children who suffer from epilepsy that has no known causes, which is called idiopathic epilepsy, will go into remission as adults. However, this is difficult to know for sure if your child will go into remission at some point, so it's always important to keep up with regular appointments and treatment. 
3. Is Medication the Only Treatment? There are other treatments for epilepsy aside from medication to help with getting it under control. For example, the ketogenic diet is one of the best ways to control epilepsy. This diet is high in fat and low in carbs, but it's important that you follow this diet strictly for your child so that it actually has its effects. Talk with your doctor about other treatments that may be viable for your child to help prevent excessive reliance on medications. 
4. Can Seizures be Fatal? A seizure that is fatal is extremely rare. However, injury is common during seizure episodes, which is why it's so important that your child gains control through diet, medications, and other treatments. If you are worried about your child's seizure episodes, talk to your child's doctor about how to best monitor them so that you are aware of when your child might need outside help from a medical professional. 

With these four concerns addressed, you can have an easier time understanding your child's diagnosis and how to handle it. On top of this, you can be more calm about the situation, which is important when it comes to being able to be there for your child during this difficult time of coping with it. Contact a clinic like Kitsap Children's Clinic LLP for more information and assistance. 

8 November 2017