Brain Injury Awareness
Epilepsy
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A condition that can follow a brain injury is epilepsy, something that I now live with. There are many causes of epilepsy, such as genetic, metabolic, immune or infection. My cause of epilepsy is Structural Epilepsy due to trauma to the brain. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that "is characterised by unpredictable seizures".
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​Being diagnosed with epilepsy doesn't necessarily mean you will definitely have a seizure, it means you are more likely to have a seizure than someone who doesn't have epilepsy.
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​There are 3 major groups of seizures;
Generalised Onset
- Affects groups of cells in both sides of the brain at the same time.
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Focal Onset
- Affects groups of cells in one side of the brain.
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Unknown Onset
- When the seizure is unknown and cannot be diagnosed with either of the two above.
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Alcohol
Alcohol and seizure medication together can be dangerous. Someone with epilepsy should not binge drink. It is recommended that someone with epilepsy has no more than two drinks. Three or more drinks puts people with epilepsy at a higher risk of having a seizure. A drink or two does not increase seizure activity.
If you have been diagnosed with epilepsy, it is smart to familiarise yourself with how to avoid greater chances of having a seizure.
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Seizures
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Having a seizure is unpredictable, particularly the first one. From what I have learnt about seizures and from experiencing one, this is what I believe should be done when you see someone having a seizure:
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1. If they collapse, try to catch them and lay them on the ground with something soft under their head.
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2. DO NOT restrict them. Let them convulse and ensure there is nothing around them that they may knock and cause further harm to them.
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3. Call an ambulance. They will talk you through what to do further.
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4. It is very important to take note of the duration of their seizure. A seizure that lasts 5 minutes or more is dangerous.
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5. Once their seizure is over, keep them laid down until the paramedics arrive.
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Medication is the most common prevention and control for seizures. It is important to talk to you doctor about the medication and follow as directed. I take a large dose of levetiracetam called Keppra twice a day, which has, so far, been a very successful seizure control for me.
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Websites
Please visit these website for further information about brain injuries and epilepsy:
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https://www.braininjuryaustralia.org.au/brain-injury-2/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557
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https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics/what-epilepsy
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https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures/alcohol
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https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/symptoms-causes/syc-20355594
Brain Injury
What is brain injury?
"Brain Injury is the “multiple disabilities arising from damage to the brain acquired after birth. It results in deterioration in cognitive, physical, emotional or independent functioning. It can be as a result of accidents, stroke, brain tumours, infection, poisoning, lack of oxygen, degenerative neurological disease etc.”
~ The National Community Services Data Dictionary (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra, 2012)
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​What is ABI?
There are different types of brain injuries. Any sort of damage received to the brain after birth is called an acquired brain injury (ABI). An ABI is a brain injury that can be caused by an external force or a complication with the brain that is developed over time.
​Approximately 1 in every 40 people in Australia lives with an ABI.
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​What is a TBI?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury caused by an external force, such as a fall or car crash, that causes trauma to the brain. TBI can result physical damage to the brain, such as brain bruising, torn tissues and bleeding. This can result in long-term complications or death.
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A mild traumatic brain injury can cause physical symptoms such as headache, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and problems with speech, sensory symptoms such as blurred vision and sensitivity to light or sound, and cognitive symptoms such as confusion, problems with memory and concentration, mood changes and difficulty sleeping.
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A moderate to severe traumatic brain injury can cause physical symptoms such as loss of consciousness, persistent headache, seizures and loss of coordination, and cognitive symptoms such as agitation or other unusual behaviour, slurred speech and other disorders of consciousness.
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​Concussion
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a knock to the head. A concussion usually causes temporary effects to the brain, such as headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination. Some may lose consciousness, but most make a full recovery following a concussion.
​You should see a doctor if you don't recover and symptoms get worse overtime.
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Stroke
A result of a haemorrhage or blockage of blood vessels in the brain.
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Brain Tumours
Brain tumours can be cancerous. It causes damage to brain tissue as the tumour grows.
Infection
Infections can cause inflammation to the meningitis surrounding the brain or the brain tissue itself
Poisoning
Alcohol and drug abuse can cause damage to brain tissue.
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Hypoxia/Anoxia
The reducing or stopping of oxygen to the brain caused by near drowning or overdosing.
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Degenerative Neurological Conditions
Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease are caused by abnormal changes to brain cells.
Understanding someone with a Brain Injury
A brain injury is an invisible injury. The injury is life-changing, and you (as someone with an ABI or as a close relative or friend of someone with one) may notice many changes in their personality, traits and emotions.
No two brain injuries are the same, therefore not all deficits and changes can be applied to everyone with an ABI.
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​Emotions
For me, the biggest change I noticed, as well as my family, was my frustration and how I managed it. I was diagnosed with high depression and anxiety as a result from my injury. There were many new emotional changes for me, and to deal with this I went to see a psychologist specialising in in injury (see 'Promotion' tab).
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It's worth speaking to a professional about these new emotional changes and how to better deal with them. A good support system, such as seeing a psychologist, may help with new changes.
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​Fatigue
Additional fatigue is a very common change for someone with an ABI. Attending the yRTP (see 'Promotion' tab) through Brain Injury SA helped me understand this a lot better.
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It is important to not overload yourself. Overtime, you will discover what tiers you out the most and how much you can take in one day. Again, don't push yourself. You may need to a nap if you are feeling extremely fatigued, or finish your day early. This will be something you learn overtime.
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Cognitive Difficulties
A major difficulty that someone with an ABI may experience is difficulties such as processing information, reasoning, problem solving and concentration. You may even forget how to do a simple task and need relearn how to do it.
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Having people around to help you is the best way to go about this, to ensure you don't hurt yourself.
During my rehab, I had to relearn how to cook food for myself and how to work the washing machine.
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Memory Difficulties
Memory is another significant difficulty you may experience. I was soon diagnosed with short-term memory loss after my accident. I particularly forget someone's name after meeting them for the first time, and if I need to do something but get distracted, I will forget very quickly.
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I found there are a few things you can do to help with memory. Having a whiteboard in our kitchen with activities or appointment dates written down on it was very handy for me. Sticky notes around the house or having a calendar may also be handy to help with memory. Reminder alerts in my phone has been extremely helpful for me.
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As soon as I know I need to do something, I do it straight away so I don't forget. If it's a simple task around the house or a time and date for an appointment, I will do it straight away or put a reminder in my phone.
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​As a supportive family member or friend, it is important to educate yourself about the possible changes in a loved one following an ABI. It is a new experience for everyone, so brushing up on some information about ABI's can prepare you for what to expect, what you can do to understand these new changes, and how you can support your loved one. I believe education and patience is key in supporting someone with an ABI.
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​Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to rewire itself. Through this, the brain can make a quick and remarkable recovery.
Most of the brain's recovery usually happens in the first 12 months following a brain injury, however the brain is always changing. Through the help of specialists and particular strategies for your particular brain injury, your brain can make significant progress after an ABI.