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Sunday, September 26, 2010

With euthanasia, ‘choice’ is a lie

With euthanasia and assisted suicide, the proponents of “choice” are rather naïve.

A favourite of euthanasia proponents is the autonomy/choice argument. When not used as mere buzz words, autonomy and choice are truly signs of the rational spark that differentiates us from our pet birds and rabbits. Yet though autonomous, no man is an island.


As part of the universal human family, both the way we choose to live and the way we die does have an impact on others. This is never truer than in the case of suicide… Across the globe, the suicidal jump off bridges every day. And from erection of safety barriers to provision of emergency hotlines, every effort is made to stop them.

To read more, click on the title above......

Friday, September 24, 2010

Featured Condtion/Disease: Epilepsy

We are featuring a childhood/infant disease or condition informational post every other Friday.  Today's topic is Epilesy.

Definition

Epilepsy is a condition of the brain that makes children have recurring seizures. A seizure is caused by a sudden change in the brain's normal electrical activity (similar to the way the lights flickering in a house because power lines are shaken during a storm). The brain uses electricity, too, and can be interrupted briefly.
Seizures can look very different. Some children have just one type of seizure, others more than one type. Some ways a seizure can affect a child:
  • Causing a short time during which the child can't use one of the senses (ability to taste, feel, see, hear or smell).
  • Causing a child to go unconscious for a short time or just sit staring into space for a time.
  • Causing convulsions.
While seizures are a part of having epilepsy, having a single seizure doesn't mean a person has epilepsy. High fevers can trigger seizures that go away when a child's temperature goes down.
Epilepsy is not a mental disorder. Nor does epilepsy generally worsen with time. Sometimes epilepsy goes away after several years. Despite most often being a chronic condition, children can live normal lives with the help of anticonvulsant medications (anti-seizure drugs).

Signs

Seizures are the main sign of epilepsy. A child with a seizure might:
  • Seem to be daydreaming or not paying attention.
  • Suddenly stop while talking or doing something and stare with a blank face, followed by rolling eyes and fluttering eyelids.
  • Suddenly go stiff (especially the arms and legs).
  • Make a crying sound.
  • Have increased saliva (drooling).
  • Shake a leg/arm or whole body repeatedly, with or without blacking out.
  • In extreme cases stop breathing.
After the seizure your child may have many different reactions:
  • May feel sleepy and confused, or upset.
  • Have a headache.
  • Feel sick to stomach (nausea) or throw up (vomit).
  • May slur speech or be hard to understand for a little while.
More Information

To get more information about Epilepsy, click here.

*Most of the information provided here is from the Teach More/Love More site, click here to visit their site.