A leading UK medical charity has turned to the iPhone to make young people more epilepsy aware.
The National Society for Epilepsy (NSE) has launched the app, which promises to offer essential first aid information, including a step by step guide to the recovery position, along with information about epilepsy."Epilepsy is the UK's most common serious neurological condition and it is likely that someone, at some time, might need to help a person having a seizure," said NSE communications manager Amanda Cleaver."Epilepsy is a very complex condition which is surrounded by myths and misconceptions. Shockingly some people still believe you should hold a person down during a convulsive seizure and put a spoon in their mouth. There are around 40 different types of seizure. Not all seizures involve losing consciousness or convulsions. Knowing how to help someone can help reduce misconceptions.""This app, the first of its kind for epilepsy, has been developed after consultation with students and we hope it will have particular appeal to young people."The app, Epilepsy Guide for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is released in time for National Epilepsy Week, which runs between 13-19 June."As the theme of the awareness week this year is epilepsy and young people we thought it was an appropriate time to launch the app," adds Amanda Cleaver. NSE is now looking at ways of further developing the app as a tool for seizure and medication management.
Available from the Apple iTunes App Store, Epilepsy Guide is free and requires the iPhone 3.0 Software Update or later.
NSE offers the following Epilepsy first aid check list:
Keep calmCheck your watch to note the timeCushion the person's headPut them into the recovery position after the convulsions (shaking) stopStay with them until they have recovered and their breathing has gone back to normalIf the seizure doesn't stop after 5 minutes, call for an ambulanceDon't hold them downDon't put anything in their mouthDon't move them unless they are in direct danger
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