Lesson 13 Epilepsy

Lesson 13: Epilepsy

Listen to the audio of the terms.

aura

disorder
faint

fit
petit mal

grand mal

jerky
lose consciousness
loss of consciousness
seizure

Activity 1: Complete the sentences.

jerky aura seizure faint sudden loss of consciousness

1 A fit is a type of seizure where a person has a ___________________for a short time.

2 A ‘petit mal’ is a small ________________ which only lasts a short time.

3 Grand mals are major fits with _______________ movements of the body.

4 If you lose consciousness, you ______________ and appear to be asleep.

5 Patients may have an _______________ which is a warning feeling or sensation.

6 Jerky movements are ________________ and not smooth.

Listen to the audio and read the text about epilepsy. Then, answer the questions that follow.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is caused by abnormal electrical activity of the brain. It leads to a change in brain function which causes seizures or epileptic fits.

There are several kinds of seizures, however, the main kinds are:

1. Petit mal which means ‘small bad thing’ – these seizures are also called ‘absences’ because the person seems to ‘go away for a while’.

2. Grand mal which means ‘big bad thing’ – during a grand mal seizure people move their arms and legs around in a jerky movement.

Epileptic fits are not usually harmful unless they happen during activities like swimming or driving a car. This is because some epileptics do not get any warning or a very short warning before they have a fit.

Epileptics who do get a warning may experience an unusual smell or sight. This is called an aura. A fit then starts with the person falling down. Their arms and legs jerk without any control. They usually lose consciousness or ‘pass out’.

The First Aid for an epileptic fit is called A.C.T.I.O.N which stands for Assess (the situation) , Cushion (the person’s head) , Timing (of the fit) , Identity (bracelet) , (roll) OVER and Never (restrain the person).

Activity 2: Answer the questions.

1. Epilepsy is an abnormal condition of the _____________ causing fits.

a spine

b nerves

c brain

2. People seem to be ______________ during a ‘petit mal’.

a somewhere else in their mind

b asleep

c unwell

3. During a grand mal fit, people fall down and _______________.

a talk in their sleep

b hurt themselves

c lose consciousness

4. An aura is a type of _____________ that a person is going to have a fit.

a warning

b symptom

c treatment

5. A person’s arms and legs may _____________ uncontrollably during a fit.

a lift

b hurt

c move

Activity 3: Listen to the audio and complete the information about the First Aid for epileptic fits.

Before you start, review:
acronym                               letters which represent a whole word
identity bracelet                   bracelet with important medical information on it
to time                                  check how long something takes

soft medical assess recovers protect sharp

The First Aid for an epileptic fit is called A.C.T.I.O.N which stands for Assess, Cushion, Timing, Identity, OVER and Never.

First, (1) ___________ the area around the patient. Is there anything which could hurt the patient? Are there any (2)________

things nearby? Move them to the side so the patient doesn’t hurt himself.

Next, Cushion the patient’s head with something (3) ______ like a pillow. If there isn’t a pillow nearby, use a jacket or coat.

This helps (4) __________ the patient’s head from injury. Time how long the fit lasts. You can use a watch or your mobile

phone. It’s important to get (5) __________ help if the fit lasts longer than five minutes.

Check to see if the person is wearing an identity bracelet. This will give more information about the type of epilepsy that

the person has.

When the fit finishes, roll the person on his side until he (6) __________ completely. Finally, never restrain the person or try

to hold him still. Don’t give a person a drink or anything to eat until the fit is over otherwise the person may choke.

Activity 4: Watch the video of a nurse explaining First Aid for epileptic fits. Match the letters of the acronym with their correct meanings.

A for assess	Then time the fit with your watch or phone.
C for cushion	When the fit is finished, roll your son over.
T for timing	Assess the area for anything which may hurt your son during the fit.
I for identity bracelet	Never restrain him or try to hold him during the fit.
O for over	Your son should wear a bracelet to tell everyone that he is an epileptic.
N for never	Try to cushion his head with something soft if you can.

Activity 5: Put the notes in the correct order.

assess the area

put something soft under his head

time how long the fit lasts

check the information on the identity bracelet

roll your son over on his side

don’t restrain him or give him a drink until fit over

Activity 6: Make a dialogue and video it for homework. Unjumble the nurse's words.

Nurse: I / leaflet / you. It explains /what /do /if / son / epileptic fit.

Mother: Thank you. What do I do if he has a fit?

Nurse: You / use / acronym /A.C.T.I.O.N / help / remember /what / do.

Mother: Oh? What does it mean?

Nurse: A / stands / ASSESS. The first thing / do / assess / area / anything / hurt / son / during / fit.

Mother: OK. Take away anything that he could hurt himself on.

Nurse: Next / C / ‘cushion’. Try / cushion / head / something soft / if / can.

Mother: Right. Put something like a cushion under his head.

Nurse: Then time / fit / with / watch or phone. If / lasts / longer / five minutes, you / need to get medical help.

Mother: Oh, I see. If it lasts longer than five minutes, I need to get my son to hospital.

Nurse: That’s right. I / identity bracelet. Your son / wear / bracelet / tell everyone / is / epileptic.

Mother: Yes, he has one already.

Nurse: When / fit / finished, roll / son over. O / ‘over on the side’.

Mother: OK. I understand. Roll him on his side after the fit is over.

Nurse: Finally, never restrain / or try / hold / during / fit. Don’t give / drink or food until /OK again.