PharmEasy Blog

Epileptic Seizures And Symptoms – The Caregiver’s Perspective

What Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is more common than most people realize. In the general population, approximately one person in a hundred has epilepsy. Although epilepsy is often considered a disorder of childhood, it can begin at any age, and in some people, it persists from childhood to old age. Epilepsy can affect people of all ages and all nationalities. The causes of epilepsy vary according to the age of the onset of epilepsy.

Diagnosis Of Epilepsy

The rate of newly diagnosed epilepsy is higher in elderly people than in middle-aged adults. The elderly are more sensitive than younger people to a variety of mental, physical and environmental stressors. They are also more likely to develop many medical, neurological and psychiatric disorders, some of which can make seizures more likely to occur. Such disorders include metabolic changes such as very high or very low blood sugar, very low sodium levels and endocrine disorders (for example, diabetes, thyroid or parathyroid disorders).

Epilepsy – A Caregiver’s Perspective

Caring for a person with epilepsy requires knowledge on a variety of topics. For example, it is important that you know the type of seizure the person you are caring for has so that you are knowledgeable on the proper first aid for that seizure. It is also important that you understand the treatments they are receiving and are aware of the other treatment options. The support and care of a caregiver can be invaluable in helping the individual to make informed decisions, to maintain a positive attitude, to adhere to medical advice, and live a full and rewarding life.

Ensuring Safety

Caregivers can be of great assistance in managing seizures and in ensuring the safety of the individual during and after the seizure. Most seizures last from seconds to minutes. This period results in the person temporarily experiencing fatigue, confusion, and/or a headache. Often the person will want to sleep. Talking reassuringly and staying with the person until he or she is re-oriented is important.

Promoting Well-Being

A person who has been diagnosed with epilepsy may experience a range of emotions such as anger, frustration and depression. Concern for the future and negative responses from friends and family can leave a person feeling vulnerable and alone. Depression is more common in individuals with epilepsy than it is in the general population. This could be due to psychosocial factors, the seizures themselves, and/or to seizure medication. As a caregiver, it is important to realize that mood changes can be a side effect of seizure medication or that a person who is distressed or is experiencing isolation may act out negatively as the result of frustration or anger. Being patient, encouraging the person to talk about his or her feelings with someone, and recording behaviour changes to provide to the doctor, are all helpful ways to promote well-being. If a person with epilepsy seems uncharacteristically depressed, encourage a visit to the doctor to discuss these feelings. The doctor may make adjustments in the seizure medication in order to determine whether these issues are due to medication side effects.

Working With the Health Care Team

Caregivers can assist the individual in complying with medical direction and can be actively involved in communicating with health care professionals.

Monitoring Epilepsy Seizure Symptoms

While some people are not able to identify specific events or circumstances that affect seizures, others are able to recognize definite seizure triggers. It is useful to monitor seizure triggers so that seizures can be avoided. Caregivers can assist an individual with epilepsy by helping to assess what triggers seizures and by helping the individual to avoid them.

Some common seizure triggers include:

Encouraging Participation

People with epilepsy can participate in most recreational activities and sports. These activities can enhance well-being and maintain health. There is some evidence that regular exercise may improve seizure control. Some activities are considered too dangerous and others pose some risk due to the possibility of head injury. Participation in recreational activities and sports should be discussed with the doctor.

Also Read: Foods to Avoid When Taking Lamotrigine: A Detailed Guide for Safe Consumption

Supporting The Person Within The Community

Caregivers can also facilitate the development of a support system for the individual within the community that involves family, friends, neighbours and professionals.

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

1

Diabetes Caregiver’s Perspective: How To Take Care Of A Diabetic Patient?

 

Why Is The Role Of A Diabetes Caregiver Important?

A study of more than 5000 adults with Diabetes highlighted the importance of family, friends, and colleagues in improving well-being and self-management. Family members are often asked to share the responsibility for disease management. They can provide many forms of support, such as instrumental support in driving patients to appointments or helping to inject insulin and social and emotional support in helping patients cope with their disease.

Through their communication and attitudes, family members often have a significant impact on a patient’s psychological well-being, the decision to follow recommendations for medical treatment, and the ability to initiate and maintain changes in diet and exercise.

Family members can feel distressed by their loved one’s diabetes due to limited knowledge about diabetes or not knowing how to support their loved one.

The family may also have misconceptions, such as believing that the patient knows more about diabetes than the patient actually reports or not understanding their loved one’s needs in diabetes management.

A diabetes caregiver should be made aware of the signs to identify any complications of eye, foot or kidney problems at an early stage and report to the physician. Paying attention to even loss of sensations or slippers slipping off the foot might be helpful to report at follow-ups.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Read More About: Tips for Diabetes Management  

Knowledge about the disease, strategies to alter family routines, and optimal ways to cope with the emotional aspects of the disease are some of the aspects of diabetes self-management that family members need.

Educating family members about diabetes-care needs can help ease this strain by explaining why these changes are necessary, how these changes can best be implemented, and where to find additional information, such as healthy recipes or exercise routines.

Everyday care for diabetic patients includes “Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling. Brush your teeth and floss every day to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy. Stop smoking, Keep track of your blood sugar.”

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

The Cornerstones Of Diabetes Care For Diabetes Caregiver

The following 4 cornerstones of care are really important to pay attention to when taking care of a family member with Diabetes:

  1. Healthy Eating. Making smart food choices and building a diabetes-friendly meal plan (with a variety of foods) will help make sure they get the right amounts of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Read more about the 4 best foods for a diabetic diet.
  2. Being Physically Active. Exercising and staying active are important for every diabetic patient
  3. Taking Medicine. Your diabetes care team will tell you which medication/insulin is right for your family member. It is also important that you make sure they take all of their other medicine(s) as directed.
  4. Tracking. Checking and recording blood sugar can help you to see patterns. These patterns can tell you how his or her diabetes care plan is working and what (if anything) needs to change.
  5. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
    a. Listen First: One way to start is by doing lots of listening rather than talking. That way you can gauge whether someone is ready to accept help. Everyone is at different stages with their diabetes.
  6. Ascertain where they are in their journey as this will determine how you can best help them. Don’t assume anything.
  7. Have an open conversation: Ask what you can do to help.
  8. Make it a joint effort: Join your friend or family member in his or her efforts to live a healthier lifestyle. Offer to start an exercise program with him or her. Or adopt better eating habits. Let the person you are caring for, know he or she is not alone in this.
  9. Going to the doctor together: It is a good idea to attend medical appointments.
  10. Watch for low blood sugar called hypoglycemia: Symptoms might be sweating, feeling hot, shakiness and a fast-beating heart. It can be dangerous for many reasons and can result in falls or a decline in cognitive functioning.
  11. Check that they’re taking the correct doses of insulin and medication and not skipping meals.
  12. Avoid Getting angry: Especially if you’re dealing with kids suffering from type 1 diabetes. Take a deep breath and control your feelings.
  13. Attend a diabetes support group with them: Encourage the person to attend a diabetes support group, and offer to go along. Both of you can receive support and learn strategies to cope up with your feelings and the disease.
  14. Be positive: A diabetes diagnosis can be scary, especially since there’s always a risk of complications. Although life-threatening complications can happen, you should keep conversations positive when speaking to someone living with diabetes. They are most likely aware of the possible complications, so they don’t need to hear about people who died from diabetes or had limbs amputated. Offer positive support, not negative stories.

Over time, diabetes can damage blood vessels in the heart, eyes, kidneys and nerves. People with diabetes have a higher risk of health problems including heart attack, stroke and kidney failure.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

If you have a child with diabetes, gradually teach him or her how to manage the condition: Although parents should always have a role in monitoring their child’s diabetes, as they get older, teens can take an increasing role in blood sugar monitoring and meal planning. Read more about symptoms of diabetes in children

Administering or tracking medications, encouraging changes to diet and activity levels, and ensuring regular monitoring as directed by a healthcare provider especially identifying any ulcers that don’t heal and reporting any changes in vision.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Read More About 10 Home Remedies for Diabetes

Need more information on diabetes and its related diseases? Ask Anya! Chat with Anya Bot here via Facebook and get more information on diabetes management.

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

References

  1. https://diabetes.org/diabetes/loved-ones
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8129740/
  3. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/caregiving/caregiver-brief.html