Exceptional Parent Magazine and epilepsy.com recognize the important and special challenges that youths with epilepsy face. We have teamed up to present a series of articles addressing many unique issues and challenges of managing seizures in teens. Feature articles will help teens, parents, nurses, and other caregivers understand the basics of seizures and treatment options as well as the effects that seizures and epilepsy may have on their day-to-day lives. Articles include up-to-date information along with critical steps and supports that families and caregivers can use to tackle the challenges together.
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December 2007 |
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Seizures and Teens: Using Technology to Develop Seizure Preparedness
This article, the last in the Seizures and Teens series, will discuss the concept of seizure preparedness and offer examples of how teens and their parents can use the Internet to assist them in managing their epilepsy. |
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September 2007 |
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Seizures and Teens: Sex, Seizures, and Drugs. What Teenage Girls and Their Parents Need to Know
Adolescence is a time of transition, marking a period in which a teen’s sexuality is developing physically and emotionally. A parent’s job is to help children understand these feelings and how to respond safely and appropriately. This article introduces the relationship between hormones and epilepsy and how seizures and medications may affect sexual function, contraception, and having children. The importance of counseling girls early on sexuality and family planning is reinforced. |
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July 2007 |
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Seizures and Teens: Stress, Sleep, & Seizures
Sleep and mood problems are not uncommon in teenagers, yet when they occur in teens with seizures, new worries and questions may arise. Commonly, parents and caregivers wonder about seizures during sleep, lack of sleep as a seizure trigger, and the relationships of sleep, seizures and mood changes! This article provides an overview of sleep and stress in adolescents with seizures and ways to monitor and modify your teen's lifestyle as part of seizure management.
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June 2007 |
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Seizures and Teens: The Impact of Seizures and Epilepsy on Families
When a teenager or child of any age develops seizures, the impact on the family can be enormous. Sandra Cushner Weinstein, social worker from Children's National Medical Center and Director of Camp Great Rock, explores the ways that epilepsy can affect family dynamics. Ways that families can live successfully with epilepsy are discussed.
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April 2007 |
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Seizures and Teens: Maximizing Health and Safety
This article will explore some of the factors that may affect a teen’s safety and ways to lessen these risks. You will learn how to create a safety management plan that will help maximize your teen’s health and safety.
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March 2007 |
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Seizures and Teens: When Medicines Don't Work -
Devices and Diet
Too often, seizure medicines don't work as well as we hope and parents are left wondering what to do next. Patricia Dean, nurse practitioner at Miami Children's Hospital, provides an overview of devices and diets in current use and the practical aspects of using these in epilepsy management.
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February 2007 |
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Seizures and Teens: The Practical Aspects of Managing Seizure Medications
This article presents the benefits of taking medicine properly as well as asking and answering questions that concern many young people with epilepsy.
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December 2006 |
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Surgery for Seizures - What's It All About?
When seizures do not respond to medical therapy, surgery may be an option. This article explores the types of
epilepsy surgery currently done for teens with seizures and explores some of the practical aspects and questions that families and caregivers may face.
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November 2006 |
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Seizures and Teens: Genes, Seizures and Epilepsy
Rapid advances in gene research is changing and challenging what we know and don't know about seizure disorders. This article discusses basic principles of genetics, how genes may affect the development of epilepsy and a teen's response to treatment.
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November 2006 |
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Seizures and Teens: When Seizures Aren't the Only Problem
Figuring out causes and consequences of mood, learning and behavior problems in adolescents with seizures can be quite the challenge. This article discusses some of the more commmon problems experienced by teens with seizures, the relationships between brain and behavior, and ways to recognize and treat these problems early.
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August 2006 |
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Seizures and Teens: When Emergencies Happen, What To Do?
One of the most important areas of seizure management is knowing when emergencies may develop and what to do to prevent treat them. This article discusses types of seizure emergencies and options for treating seizure clusters. How to develop seizure action plans that incorporate seizure first aid and interventions are offered to help teens and parents take a proactive step in seizure care.
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July 2006 |
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Self-Management in Epilepsy Care: Putting Teens and Familes in the Center.
The first article explores what self-management care is all about and how teens can work with parents and caregivers as 'co-managers' of their care. The authors wish to thank the Epilepsy Foundation, the American Epilepsy Society, the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute of Nursing Research (grant # 1 R01 NR04770) for their contributions and support of self-management in epilepsy care.
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