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| Are you a kid with epilepsy? Then this Web site is for you. It is packed with information about epilepsy, living with
epilepsy, and Keppra® (levetiracetam), the medicine your doctor has given you for your epilepsy. |
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| Kids with epilepsy are just like other kids. Except that they sometimes have seizures. |
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| Did you know that there are lots of kids who have epilepsy? There’s a good chance that some of the kids in your school have it. And they are probably having the same feelings about it that you are. |
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| This Web site will help answer some of your questions about epilepsy. Ask your parents to read it with you. |
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| The more you know about epilepsy, the smarter you will be. If you have more questions after you read this Web site, be sure to ask your parents. Or you can ask your doctor or nurse when you see them. Remember, this information should not take the place of you and your parents visiting your doctor. Make sure you and your parents ask a lot of questions. This Web site will help you. Asking the right questions will get you and your parents the answers you need. |
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| What is a seizure? |
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| A seizure happens when something goes wrong in your brain for a few seconds. After that, you are OK again. You see, it is the brain’s job to send messages to other parts of your body. It tells your eyes, hands, and feet what to do. When you have a seizure, the brain cannot send these messages quickly. Sometimes the messages just get mixed up. When some people have a seizure, they just feel a little strange. It seems like something is not right. When other people have a seizure, they pass out and fall on the floor. And their bodies will start to shake. |
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| What is epilepsy? |
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| The kind of seizure you have depends on what kind of epilepsy you have. Epilepsy is something that causes your brain to have seizures. It makes you have seizures. Epilepsy does not pass from one person to another like a cold. You cannot give it to a friend. And you cannot catch it from someone else. |
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| Why do I have epilepsy? |
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| That is a question lots of kids with epilepsy ask. Sometimes it’s hard for doctors to figure out; they might not ever know what causes your epilepsy. But your doctor will do some tests. And he or she will often find the best treatment to control your seizures. |
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| Will I still have epilepsy when I grow up? |
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| Some kids will still have epilepsy when they grow up and live a very normal life. For some kids, seizures can go away when they get older. It is hard to know. It depends on the kind of epilepsy you have. Talk with your doctor and your parents. But there is good news. A lot of people with epilepsy may not have any more seizures as long as they keep takingthe right kind of medicine. |
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| Can I still play with my friends? |
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| Most kids with epilepsy can do all the things their friends do. That includes playing baseball, soccer, and other
sports. How controlled your seizures are will help you and your parents decide what sports and games are OK for you to play. Did you know that some professional athletes have epilepsy? There are hockey players and baseball players who have it. Epilepsy affects each person in a different way. Be sure to talk with your parents and your doctor about any sports that you want to play. If you have epilepsy, you can still have lots of fun! |
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