For several years, Cristina Oliveira has decided to put himself at the service of his fellow men, their entourage and above all a fierce fight against the clichés who have tough skin. On the occasion of International Epilepsy Day, which falls on February 14 this year when Saint Valentine is the patron saint of lovers… and epileptics, she delivers an essential preventive message.
1. “At home, never taboo”
“My mother never hid my illness from me. Epilepsy was not a taboo for me. My neurologist had given me a comic strip that explains the ins and outs. I still have it. When she was young, it was in the school environment that Cristina suffered: more from the innocent naughtiness of children than from affection itself: “That the other children could have been impressed when I had a fit – and when I didn’t I wasn’t stabilized, I could do ten times a day – that they made fun of me, that can be understood. Where the rub is that no adult could find the words to explain, because none of them really knew what to expect with epilepsy. »
2. What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease that affects approximately 700,000 people in France and 50 million worldwide. It is diagnosed through a series of examinations which can range from electroencephalogram (EEG) to MRI and/or scanner: “ She doesn’t take careshe treats herself, ”explains Cristina Oliveira, not forgetting to knock on wood, she who has found a balance in her treatment which has allowed her not to suffer the slightest crisis for almost two years.
There are various types of epilepsy with multiple manifestations: from the tonic-clonic seizure, the one that immediately comes to mind when we talk about this disease, to the partial seizure, which can affect only one part of the body: ” This is the one I have, describes Cristina Oliveira. For me, this results in a loss of consciousness, the contraction of one side of the body, and a duration generally less than a minute. We also find status epilepticus, “the most serious, which can last longer than five minutes. In such a case, it is important to call the emergency services. »
Triggering factors, lack of sleep, stress or light flashes for photosensitive epilepsy, can constitute fertile ground for seizures. Which represent the tip of the iceberg since other symptoms, invisible, also make the daily life of patients: attention disorders, concentration, physical pain and fatigue.
3. What to do in the event of a crisis?
“The kick of the wooden spoon in the mouth, please forget! This is Cristina Oliveira’s plea. Under no circumstances should you put the slightest object, or worse your fingers, in the mouth of a person who is the victim of an epileptic attack: “It comes from this legend that she could swallow her tongue. It’s impossible. »
“On the other hand, there are good reflexes to adopt, continues Cristina Oliveira: do not prevent the person’s movements, move aside any object nearby, protect your head by wedging a rolled up garment or towel, loosen your clothes and remove your glasses. if applicable and, very important, note the time and duration of the seizure. Call the emergency services if it lasts more than five minutes and if the person is injured. »
After the crisis, it is a question of reassuring her, speaking to her calmly, giving her neither medicine nor drink.
In her wallet, the Hendayaise also noted on a paper where she specifies that she is epileptic, her blood type and the list of her medications.