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generalized) and the etiology of the seizures which
can be idiopathic, cryptogenic, or symptomatic
(Rinaldi, et al, 2000). In 2009, ILAE revised the
classification of Epilepsies, whereby general-
ized seizures were redefined as seizures which
happen in and quickly participate into bilaterally
distributed networks, and focal seizures are sei-
zures that happen inside the networks limited to a
hemisphere and can be either discretely localized
or more widely distribute. In addition, the focal
(localized) seizures are described based on their
manifestations such as dyscognitive, or focal mo-
tor. The concepts of generalized and focal seizures
are not applied for electro-clinical syndromes.
The etiology of the seizures including idiopathic,
symptomatic, and cryptogenic were replaced by
genetic, structure metabolic and unknown. The
organization of forms of Epilepsies is based on
the seizures' specificity including electroclini-
cal syndromes, non-syndromic Epilepsies, and
unknown-cause Epilepsies (Berg, et al, 2010).
had difficulties at works out of which 26% hav-
ing work performance reduction, and 39% had
personality issues (WHO, 2002).
On the other aspect, Epilepsy also has strong
impacts on family members and carers emotion-
ally and physically. Common emotional responses
of the family members are horror, guilt, sadness,
depression, and avoidance which affect family
everyday life. Physically, carers have to be always
prepared for seizure incidents which may happen
anytime during day and night, in their working
hours or at home. This affects the carers both in
terms of finance and productivity.
The ability to provide automatic monitoring
24 hours/day and precise prediction of coming
seizures will not only help improving the course
of treatment but also help reducing the impacts of
Epilepsy on the carers. The automatic monitoring
and alert features will reduce the burden in mind
of the carers and help carers to better plan for
their work as well as prepare for potential seizures
happening to their family members.
Impacts of Epilepsy
Epilepsy and Models of
Care in Australia
Epilepsy has profound impacts on an Epilepsy
patient's everyday life. The impacts can present
themselves in various aspects, including education
and training, social relationship, job opportunities,
medical treatments, pregnant, quality of life, sex,
and marriage (Hills, 2007). The patients suffer
from seizure-related accidents physically and
psychologically, which deter them from participat-
ing into everyday activities such as establishing
social relationship, going to school and university,
working, travelling, and participating in leisure
activities. Bishopav and Allenb (2003) pointed
out the impacts of Epilepsy on a patient's life
across their “interpersonal, intrapersonal, and
extra personal domains.” These include other
factors such as religion, positive self-concept,
and independence and autonomy. The results of
a research in India by WHO showed that 39% of
students with Epilepsy experienced difficulties
in their studies, 9% of employed Epilepsy people
According to JECA (2009), “10% of Australians
will have a seizure during their lifetime, while
3-4% will be diagnosed with Epilepsy”. There
were about 600,000 - 880,000 Australians expe-
riencing Epilepsy during their life time (Walker,
2007; JECA, 2009).
Years 2001-2002, convulsions and epilepsy
represented 5.6% of the Australian ambulance care
sensitive, most commonly for children from 0 to
14, and middle age group from 25 to 44 (JECA,
2009). Epilepsy was the most common cause of
hospital admission for the age group 15-24 in
male (Page, Ambrose, Glover, & Hetzel, 2007).
The admission rate for indigenous Austra-
lians of this age was over twice the rate of other
Australians (JECA, 2009). For the year 1998 -
2004, Epilepsy as a proportion of all neurological
hospital admissions were 96.8% for Indigenous
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