Learn about common misconceptions about epilepsy and how Ribcap's protective helmets for seizures can improve safety and quality of life for people living with epilepsy.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures that affects millions of people worldwide. The seizures are caused by a sudden, temporary short circuit in the brain. Epilepsy has different forms and different types of seizures.
Despite the prevalence of epilepsy, there are still myths and misconceptions about epilepsy in society. Lack of awareness about epilepsy can lead to misunderstanding and stigmatization.
5 myths about Epilepsy
1. Epilepsy is a rare disease.
This is not true. Epilepsy is not a rare condition and occurs in 1 in 100 people. It is one of the most common neurological diseases. There are different types of epilepsy and anyone can get it, regardless of age (EpilepsieLiga).
2. A seizure always looks the same.
This is not true. Seizures can be very different from person to person and even from person to person over time. A seizure can be a convulsion, a sudden shock, staring, or other strange behavior. The type of seizure depends on which part of the brain is affected. Epilepsy is therefore an individual condition. Epilepsy is unique to each person and treatment must be tailored to individual needs (Epilepsy Foundation).
3. If you have epilepsy, you should not drive.
This is not true. It is true that epilepsy can affect a person's ability to drive, but if you stop having seizures after a period of time and you meet the medical and legal requirements, you can get a temporary driver's license even with epilepsy (Epilepsy Foundation).
In any case, a thorough medical evaluation is required, where the doctor will assess whether it is safe for someone with epilepsy to drive. The doctor may also place restrictions on your license, such as driving only during the day, not driving on the highway, or driving a maximum of 50 miles. There will be regular medical checkups to see if one is still fit to drive.
If a person has an epileptic seizure, the license will be taken away and the person will not be allowed to drive until another medical examination is done.
Be careful, as the rules may vary from country to country! So whether you are allowed to drive depends a lot on how well a person controls seizures and the type of seizures they have.
4. You can bite your tongue off during a seizure.
This is not true. During some types of seizures, especially tonic-clonic seizures, the body's muscles can contract unexpectedly. This can cause the jaw muscles to contract, causing someone to bite their tongue or the inside of their cheeks. The chance of completely biting your tongue off during an epileptic seizure is very small (EpilepsieLiga).
It is also physically impossible to swallow your tongue during a seizure. It is also important not to put anything in the mouth of a person who is having a seizure, because they do not have control over their muscle movements at that time. They may bite down on the object, break their teeth, or injure their mouth/jaw.
What can you do if someone with epilepsy has a seizure?
- Stay calm and try to lay the person gently on the floor to avoid injury.
- Put something soft under the person's head to protect it.
- Put something soft under the person's head to protect it.
- Do not stop the shaking or violent movements.
- Do not put anything in the person's mouth or try to hold the person's mouth open. This may cause further injury.
- When the seizure is over, gently place the person on his or her side to avoid choking on saliva or vomit.
- Remove objects that the person might use to injure themselves with wild movements.
- Do not put anything in the person's mouth or try to hold the person's mouth open. This may cause further injury.
- When the seizure is over, gently place the person on his or her side to avoid choking on saliva or vomit.
- Remove objects that the person might use to injure themselves with wild movements.
5. When a person has a seizure, he or she should always go to the hospital.
This is not entirely true. Not every seizure requires a trip to the hospital. In most cases, the person needs time to rest and recover after a seizure. If you do not know the person having a seizure, it is best to call an ambulance because you may not know what kind of seizure the person is having (Epilepsy Foundation).
In some cases, however, it is important to call an ambulance right away:
- If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes.
- If a second seizure follows immediately.
- If the person does not regain consciousness after the seizure.
How Ribcap Can Help People with Epilepsy
At Ribcap, we understand the importance of head protection for people with epilepsy. Our protective helmets, often referred to as epilepsy helmets or seizure helmets, are designed to provide comfort and protection during a seizure, which can result in head injury, and to absorb and reduce a fall.
Our protective helmets for seizures are designed to promote an active lifestyle and quality of life for people with epilepsy. They are lightweight and comfortable enough to be worn all day. Breathable materials are used to provide ventilation between the pads.
Each Ribcap looks stylish. They are designed to look like regular hats and caps to reduce stigma. There are different styles and colors so that each person with epilepsy can choose the model that fits their personality and style.
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Written by Nico De Wilde