Woman in Her 30s Left Wheelchair-Bound After Seizure in Shower

A British woman in her 30s living with epilepsy suffered serious burns after having a seizure in the shower. As a result of the accident, she relied on a wheelchair for nearly two years and is reportedly still undergoing rehabilitation.

Annie Perez, 38, a resident of Chingford, London, traveled to Sardinia, Italy, in June 2022. While staying at an accommodation for a concert, she suffered an epileptic seizure while showering. During the episode, she was exposed to hot water, resulting in burns over her body. Perez had left the bathroom door unlocked as a precaution, and her friends discovered her after noticing water leaking outside. She was immediately airlifted to a hospital by helicopter.
Perez regained consciousness two days after the accident and was found to have sustained severe burns on her left arm and both legs, covering 11% of her body. She received three weeks of treatment in Italy before being transferred to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, where she was hospitalized for two months. Due to the aftermath of the incident, Perez had to use a wheelchair, walker, and cane for about two years. She continues to suffer from nerve pain and is undergoing long-term rehabilitation, including laser, physical, and aquatic therapies.

Epilepsy is a representative chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures caused by abnormal excitation of brain nerve cells. The symptoms are highly variable, making it difficult to define with a single description. However, if someone loses consciousness, experiences muscle stiffness or tremors, drops their head, or suddenly collapses, it is recommended to seek medical attention.
In fact, the mortality rate for people with epilepsy is known to be about twice as high as that of the general population. While the exact cause remains unclear, trauma from seizures and abnormalities in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are believed to play a role. Excessive excitation of nerve cells can disrupt the autonomic nervous system, potentially leading to arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, or cardiac asystole, which may result in sudden death.

When an epileptic seizure occurs, ensuring the patient's safety is the top priority. Any sharp or dangerous objects nearby should be removed immediately. Since vomiting is common during seizures, it is important to turn the patient's head to the side to prevent aspiration pneumonia. Seizures usually last one to two minutes, but if consciousness is not regained afterward, emergency services should be contacted immediately.
The primary treatment for epilepsy is medication. Anticonvulsants, which either decrease excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain or increase inhibitory ones, are commonly prescribed and must be taken consistently. For patients who are resistant to medication, procedures or surgery may be considered. Surgical options include craniotomy to remove seizure-related lesions or corpus callosotomy to block the spread of seizures. Procedures may also involve electrical stimulation to regulate abnormal nerve cells. Even after surgery or procedures, continued medication and lifestyle management are essential.
hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter