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• Electrical system of the brain malfunctions
• Causes a change in awareness, movements, sensations, and behavior
• More than 30 different types of seizures
• Most common symptom of Epilepsy
• Not necessarily the same as having epilepsy
• Some are barely noticeable while others cause muscle jerks or loss of consciousness
• Can last a few seconds to several minutes

What causes epilepsy?

Disruptions to the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain (much like disruptions in wiring of a complex electrical circuit), when there are imbalances of natural chemicals or neurotransmitters that are important to the signaling among nerve cells, or when there are changes in the membranes of nerve cells. Some of these may develop early in life while others may be acquired later.

Known conditions and events that may lead to epilepsy:

Epilepsy, sometimes referred to as seizure disorder  which is a temporary disturbance in brain function. Seizures happen when the electrical system of the brain malfunctions. Instead of discharging electrical energy in a controlled manner, the brain cells keep firing. The result may be a surge of energy through the brain. Disturbances of nerve cell activity produce symptoms, such as unconsciousness and contractions of the muscles, that vary depending on which part (and how much) of the brain is affected.

• Do NOT administer unlabeled medications or medications with incomplete instructions
• Do NOT borrow medications from another individual
• Do NOT give expired or discolored medications
• Do NOT return unused medications back into their container if already removed or dropped
• Do NOT administer medication if all five rights have not been checked first

The requirements for administering medications in school are the same, regardless of the type of medication (e.g. over the counter cough drops vs. prescribed).

• More chronically ill and stable children are going to school with medications required to be taken some time while in school
• Proper administration of medications can promote and support a child’s academic success
• Proper administration of medications may help keep a child healthy and keep his or her chronic condition stable

California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Education Code 49423