Jeevan Anmol Hospital

Tragedies are a part of life and at some point in life, every person faces them. It may be in different forms like separation, crisis in relationships, financial stress, death of a loved one, some severe disease and many others. Such tragedies can cripple anybody from inside out, but the children can have a devastating effect on their lives. Therefore, it is important that you love and support them during this phase and help them face the situation well.

Here are a few ways of dealing with the effects of tragedies on kids:

1. Talk to them, honestly: It is important to assure the kids that they are not alone in this world and should remember that there are many other people who love them. In case of a tragedy, kids usually have a lot of pent-up feelings inside them. You need to talk to them and make them understand that instead of keeping those feelings to themselves, they should talk to you or anyone they trust. Venting out will enable them to relax.
2. Act on truth: It is very important to teach the children that no matter what happens in life, there is a chance to start afresh. The kids should be surrounded with people they love, as it will make them feel a little relaxed and open. Also, it is essential for them to know that there’s always hope and not all is lost.
3. Remain calm: After a large scale tragedy, your children will usually look up to you regarding, how to react in a situation. Although it is okay for your children to see you sad or in grief, but you should keep as calm as possible and do not react intensely. This will help keep them calm and less anxious.
4. Reassure your children about safety: You should make your children understand that they are safe and nothing bad will happen to them. They must be reassured that no harm will come upon them as you are always with them.
5. Maintain normal routine: It is essential to give your children a feeling of normalcy. You must try to maintain their normal schedule with the usual dinner time, bed time and school time. You must pay special attention to them to make them feel more secure. You should spend extra time with them and always be there for company and reassurance for any factor.

Children are affected severely by any kind of tragedies as they are fragile and immature. Tragedies disrupt the balance of life, but you must try to make your children feel the crisis as less as possible, so that they get less hampered emotionally. A troubled childhood affects the healthy growing up of a child.

Epilepsy is an abnormal medical condition due to abnormal electrical discharge from the brain, which could be due to genetic defects, brain injury,brain infection,brain tumor etc.

Recent study shows, patients with awareness, knowledge and attitude towards the disease had better health related quality of life.

Do’s

• Do take your medicines at the prescribed times.
• Do make it known to your family members, friends and people who work with you that you are seizure-prone. Tell them what should be done in case you get an attack in their presence. This is nothing to be ashamed of as epilepsy is a medical condition just like high blood pressure. If your child has epilepsy, do inform the teacher and the school authorities about it.
• Do tell your child's teacher what to do if your child has a seizure.
• Do keep an accurate record of your seizures and their frequency. Preferably, maintain a seizure diary.
• Do ask your doctor about medicines for other conditions before taking them.
• Do follow a balanced diet.
• Do exercise regularly but avoid over-exertion.
• Do have good lighting in the room where you watch TV. TV picture flashes can trigger seizures. Good lighting can prevent such attacks.
• Do tell someone if you are going for a swim; swim only if your seizures are under control. Moreover, whenever possible, go swimming with a friend.
• Do talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of using contraceptive pills (medicines used by women to avoid unwanted pregnancy) along with your epilepsy medicines.
• Do wear protective headgear when cycling.
• Do tell your doctor about any ill effects that you experience.
• Do get a good night's sleep daily.
• Do make sure you have enough medicine so that you don't run short, even when you are travelling.
• Do check-in with your doctor regularly.

Don’ts

• Don't stop your treatment unless your doctor tells you to.
• Don't consume caffeine or alcohol excessively.
• Don't take other medicines without checking with your doctor.
• Don't lock the bathroom/toilet door, if possible.
• Don't smoke.
• Don't give others your medicines and don't take anyone else's medicines.

Myths and facts about epilepsy

Is epilepsy a very rare disorder?

No. Epilepsy is not a very rare disorder. Epilepsy affects 50 million people worldwide. In India, epilepsy has been identified as a public health problem.

Epilepsy is a mental illness?

It is not a mental illness but disorder of the brain.

Are people with epilepsy violent or crazy?

No. The belief that people with epilepsy are violent is an unfortunate image that is both wrong and destructive. People with epilepsy have no greater tendency toward severe irritability and aggressive behaviours than other people. However, once the attack is over, they return to normalcy and usually display normal behaviour in between attacks.

Are children with epilepsy dull?

Except for children who are born with obvious mental handicaps, children with epilepsy have normal intelligence and should be encouraged by parents and teachers to attend school and complete their education.

Is epilepsy a curse or wrath of God?

No. Epilepsy has nothing to do with curses, possession or other supernatural processes, such as punishment for past sins.

Does epilepsy spread through touching or coughing?

No, epilepsy does not spread through touching or coughing.

Does the use of an onion, metal, etc., help in terminating an ongoing epileptic attack?

No. Some people think that an epileptic attack can be terminated by making the person smell onions or dirty shoes, or by placing a metal key in the person's hand. These are irrational beliefs.

Are epilepsy medications ineffective?

No. Epilepsy medicines are very essential for the control of epileptic attacks and should not be neglected.

Is marriage a cure for epilepsy?

No. Marriage is an important aspect of life but not a cure for epilepsy.

Epilepsy is hereditary hence unfit to get married?

Epilepsy is not a hereditary disorder, and the tendency of epilepsy being passed is only about 3 %, therefore no bar for marriage.

Women suffering from epilepsy cannot have children?

Epilepsy or anti-epileptic drugs cannot affect fertility, even during pregnancy, women can take their medicines under their doctor’s supervision.

Is life of a person with epilepsy miserable?

No. Life of a person with epilepsy can be very manageable and very similar to life of people without epilepsy provided you have a positive approach towards life.

Is epilepsy a hindrance in leading a happy and successful life?

No. People with epilepsy can live a happy and successful life. With the advent of newer medicines, availability of medical care and increased awareness of the condition, it has become possible for a person with epilepsy to lead a good life. There are many famous poets, writers and sportsmen with epilepsy who have excelled in their respective fields.

Special Precautions in Children with Epilepsy

Computerized and Lights:
Up to 5% of children with epilepsy have photosensitive epilepsy. Computers and TVs with a flat screen do not flicker and, so, are less likely to trigger seizures than screens that flicker. However, flashing lights/ flickering screen can act as trigger in photosensitive epilepsy patients.

Exams and Tests:
For Children who are likely to have seizures in stressful situations or at certain times of the day, this may affect how they perform in exams or tests. Tiredness, memory or concentration problems may also affect exams or tests. Tiredness, memory or concentration problems may also affect exams.

Physical Activities and Lessons:
Safety is important for all children, especially during physical activities and lessons, such as when studying science. Epilepsy does not need to stop a child from doing an activity as long as he or she is safe.

During Swimming:
This must be allowed only in the presence of trusted lifeguards. It is essential that the swimming coach and the lifeguards fully understand a child’s epilepsy so they can quickly see if the child is having a seizure in the water.

Chances are your children or grand children are back in school after the summer break. So I thought it was a good time to highlight the fact that the right vitamins for children can improve their mental performanceIn fact, hundreds of studies underscore the importance of nutrition in cognitive development.

Stephen Schoenthaler, Ph.D., a professor at California State University at Stanislaus, has been researching this topic for years. In one study, Dr. Schoenthaler and his colleagues tested the IQs of 245 schoolchildren between the ages of 6 and 12 in Phoenix, Ariz. They then enlisted teachers to distribute either a vitamin and mineral supplement or a placebo to these children on a daily basis.

At the study's conclusion, IQ tests were again administered, and the students who had been taking the supplements and vitamins for children had an average 2.5 point gain in IQ. The truly impressive finding of this study, however, was that the children who were poorly nourished at the study's onset gained at least 15 IQ points!

The researchers also noted that test scores were closely linked with school performance, and suggested that parents “of school children whose academic performance is substandard would be well advised to seek a nutritionally oriented physician for assessment of their children's nutritional status.”

Did you know that there are certain foods that increase your child's height naturally? Foods that are rich in essential nutrients such as Vitamins, Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium etc can prove to be highly instrumental in adding extra inches to your child's height. Read on...

1. Whole Grains - Whole grains are rich sources of Zinc, Magnesium and Vitamin B, which play a very vital role in promoting your child's growth during his/her budding years. Additionally, whole grains also contain calories and carbohydrates, which ensure the maintenance of proper weight in your child, imparting him/her with the requisite energy to go on throughout the day. Feed your child whole-grain breads, cereals and pastas to make him healthier and taller.

2. Milk - Milk contains calcium and vitamin D, which help in bone development during the growing years of a child, besides increasing his/her physical strength. Milk also helps in assimilating different proteins making it one of the best foods to be consumed by your child for attaining a good height. Three servings of milk, or milk products such as cheese or yoghurt, each day will suffice your child's Vitamin D and calcium requirement.

3. Fruits and Vegetables - Fruits are excellent sources of Vitamin A, which is instrumental in ensuring an enhanced rate of bone growth in your child, consequently making him/her taller. You can include carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, spinach etc. in your child's diet to aid his/her height growth. It's advisable to provide him/her with 3 to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

4. Eggs - To ensure that your child grows taller naturally, providing him/her with a protein rich diet is very crucial. Eggs contain ample amount of protein needed to keep your child energetic throughout the day and help him/her grow taller. One to two eggs per day is considered to be the ideal intake amount for a child.

5. Soybeans - Soybeans are rich sources of protein and help in enhancing the growth of bones and muscles of your child, which in turn adds to his/her height during the budding years. You can cook various soybean dishes or you can add ground soybean powder to the dough while making rotis to make soybean a part of your child's diet.

Although a child's height is also dependent on his/her genes, a well balanced diet containing these super-foods will increase your child's chances of growing to the fullest to attain a good height. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a pediatrician.