NEW YORK, Oct 28 (Reuters Health) -- About 300,000 children attending US public schools have seizure disorders. To teach school staff how to deal with a child having a seizure, the Epilepsy Foundation has created "Be Seizure Smart," an educational program that will be presented in schools across the nation in November, designated Epilepsy Awareness Month.
Education directors from the Foundation "will be visiting schools across the country to teach teachers and administrators to "Be Seizure Smart" when it comes to helping students who have seizures," according to a statement from the organization.
"Be Seizure Smart" was created in response to research that found that many individuals are unable to recognize the symptoms of seizure disorders or to correctly provide first aid. For example, a common mistake involves restraining a child's arms to restrict movement during a seizure. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, this can cause pulled or torn muscles, or even broken bones.
Likewise, the traditional, well-intentioned action of placing objects in a child's month to prevent them from swallowing their tongue "can result in broken teeth, a punctured palate or worse," said Steve Schachter in a statement. Schachter is the clinical research director of a Comprehensive Epilepsy Program in Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
The Epilepsy Foundation's first aid tips for seizures include:
-- Gently place the individual on the ground and make sure his/her head is cushioned.
-- Remove eyeglasses and other loose objects or tight neckwear.
-- Turn individuals on their side to help keep airway clear.
-- Do not put anything -- medication, food, or drink -- in the individual's mouth.
-- Call for help if there are repeated attacks or if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes.
-- Call for help if the individual is pregnant, injured, diabetic, ill, or has no history of epilepsy.
The Epilepsy Foundation is a national nonprofit organization committed to the prevention and cure of epilepsy. Its goals are to improve the quality of life for all individuals affected by seizure disorders through education, research and advocacy.
For more information about epilepsy or the "Be Seizure Smart" program, visit the Epilepsy Foundation website at www.epilepsyfoundation.org or call 1-800-EFA-1000.
