Lesser Known Disorders
Each issue of this series contains at least three lesser known disorders. Some of these disorders may contain subtypes which will also be presented. You will also notice that each disorder has a code. These codes represent the coding system for all disabilities and disorders listed in the Educator’s Diagnostic Manual(EDM) Wiley Publications.
Disorders in this issue:
OHI – 17.11- Epilepsy with Tonic Seizures
Disability Category: Other Health Impaired
Definition
In tonic seizures there is general stiffening of the muscles without rhythmical jerking. The person may fall to the ground with consequent risk of injury but generally recovery is quick.
Explanation
Tonic seizures are characterized by facial and truncal muscle spasms, flexion or extension of the upper and lower extremities, and impaired consciousness. Several types of tonic seizures exist. Those grouped with absence, myoclonic, and atonic seizures are non-convulsive and tend to be brief. The more prolonged seizures usually are convulsive and may manifest pupillary dilation, tachycardia, apnea, cyanosis, salivation, and the loss of bladder or bowel control. Tonic seizures are often followed by postictal confusion (Epilepsy Ontario, 2005).
OHI- 17.01- Epilepsy with Absence Seizures
Disability Category: Other Health Impaired
Definition
Seizure activity varies for different persons with epilepsy. Absence seizures involve staring off into space for a few moments (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2004). These seizures almost always begin in childhood or adolescence, and they tend to run in families, suggesting that they may be at least partially due to a defective gene or genes (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2005).
Explanation
Some people with absence seizures have purposeless movements during their seizures, such as a jerking arm or rapidly blinking eyes. Others have no noticeable symptoms except for brief times when they are “out of it.” Immediately after a seizure, the person can resume whatever he or she was doing. However, these seizures may occur so frequently that the person cannot concentrate in school or other situations. Childhood absence epilepsy usually stops when the child reaches puberty. Absence seizures usually have no lasting effect on intelligence or other brain functions (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2005).
OHI – 9.03- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Disability Category: Other Health Impaired
Definition
Inflammatory bowel disease (which is not the same thing as irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS) refers to two chronic diseases that cause inflammation of the intestines: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Although the diseases have some features in common, there are some important differences (Nemours Foundation, 2005d). Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis may also be called colitis or proctitis (National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 2003). Crohn’s disease is a chronic (ongoing) disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although it can involve any area of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, it most commonly affects the small intestine and/or colon (Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America, 2005).
Explanation
The most common symptoms of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are diarrhea and abdominal pain. Diarrhea can range from mild to severe (as many as 20 or more trips to the bathroom a day). If the diarrhea is extreme, it can lead to dehydration, rapid heartbeat, and a drop in blood pressure. And continued loss of small amounts of blood in the stool can lead to anemia.
At times, those with inflammatory bowel disease may also have constipation. With Crohn’s disease, this can happen as a result of a partial obstruction (called stricture) in the intestines. In ulcerative colitis, constipation may be a symptom of inflammation of the rectum (also known as proctitis) (Nemours Foundation, 2005).
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