The Search for
Victims can be helped, but they
can't always be found for epilepsy
may disguise itself as everything
from a headache to appendicitis
Hidden
Epileptics
By THEODORE BERLAND
Author of "Tf SderrHRc lift"
Keith was 10. He was a normal
and healthy boy except that he
couldn't read.
A school psychologist had rated his IQ at 39,
but his parents were sure he was not that re
tarded. On the advice of their family doctor, they
took him to a laboratory where his brain waves
could be recorded.
It was a painless and harmless procedure; in
fact, Keith found it rather pleasant All he had
to do was nap in the lab with thin wires taped
to his head. These wires carried faint electrical
signals from his brain to a machine which trans
lated them into wavy lines on a strip of paper.
By checking the wavy lines, dtors were able
to determine that Keith who had never had
a "fit" in his life was a hidden epileptic. .
His epilepsy, the doctors explained, was a
mild form that affected his vision. In time, he
might show other symptoms, but he would most
likely outgrow his affliction. .
Today, with the help of drugs and books
printed in large type, he has progressed to the
point where he can read third-grade stories.
Keith's parents were amazed that his prob
lems in school stemmed from a quiet form of
epilepsy. Like most people, they associated epi
lepsy with the wild seizure falling to the
ground, thrashing arms, foaming at the mouth.
Actually, this is but one of the many forms which
epilepsy takes. Many victims experience such
mild attacks that they are unaware of them.
"A large percentage of patients with such
disorders are not clinically diagnosed as epi
leptics," say two of the nation's leading epilepsy
authorities, Dr. Frederick W. Stamps and Dr.
Frederic A. Gibbs of the University of Illinois.
"They carry such diagnostic labels as 'organic
neurosis,' 'gastric migraine,' 'peptic ulcer,' 'ap
pendicitis,' 'headache,' and 'behavioral disorder.' "
To understand why epilepsy comes in so many
disguises, you must recognize it for what it is:
a symptom of tiny disorders in the brain.
Dr. Stamps explains that the brain changes
certain chemicals into electrical signals. Normal
ly this electricity builds up and then drops off
in a set rhythm of 10 oscillations per second.
But when certain brain cells are injured or im
paired, thjy send out wild electrical discharges.
These tiny "lightning flashes" in the brain shoot
through nerves and either cause false sensations
or whip muscles into violent action.
There is nothing mysterious about what
causes these cells to "go bad." The causes are
the same as those which provoke serious dis
turbances in other organs of the body : accidents,
infection, tumors, abscesses, and toxins.
Epilepsy can be started in children by such
infections as measles, mumps, flu, and en
cephalitis. Dr. Stamps explains. It can occur at
any age from blows to the head (the reason he
forbids his children to box or play football). In
older persons it can come with hardening of the
arteries or from small strokes.
Epilepsy can quietly hit anyone. It is estimated
that about 1 percent of the population almost
2,000,000 Americans have epilepsy. But this
statistic is not so alarming when it is coupled
-with another one: that is, 80 out of 100 epileptics
can lead essentially normal lives, .thanks to
drugs which put up a chemical wall around
damaged brain cells and prevent their "lightning"
from spreading.
What's more, research is making large strides.
Treatment has advanced further in the last 25
years than during the preceding 25 centuries,
and one day there even may be a cure.
BUT today's medicines, effective as they are,
are wasted unless they are used. The sooner
an epileptic is treated, the sooner he will lead
a normal life again. This is why parents should
learn the danger signals of "hidden epilepsy."
If you have a baby, be suspicious if he shivers
for short periods, especially upon awakening.
In all children, watch for:
Lapses of consciousness, even as brief as
breaking off in the middle of a sentence for 10
seconds while talking.
Complaints of unexplained stomach aches,
headaches, or pains in any part of the body.
A change of gait
Restlessness without reason.
Attacks of vomiting.
A high IQ but poor grades in school.
Mirror writing for as long as a few
months or more (most children mirror write at
first but only for brief periods of time).
If your child shows any of these signs, con
sult your family doctor or pediatrician. With
his skills and the modern tools at his command,
he will be able to tell whether or not your child
is a hidden epileptic.
'WCKftlTtT'l
COVER:
This sunsuit-clad milt has the time of her
life as Dad (out of camera range) create
special rain effects with the garden hose.
Scene photographed by Dennis Hallinan.
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