Overcoming Epilepsy

Dr. S K Gupta
Today is the National Epilepsy Day and let us know some facts regarding epilepsy. Epilepsy is treatable disease and not caused by evil spirits or super natural factors which is still believed in the majority of population in our country. It is the second most common neurological disorder but still it is poorly understood even today. Historically, epilepsy has received little public health attention despite poor health outcomes and potentially devastating social consequences from untreated disease.
There are 50 million persons with epilepsy worldwide and 80 percent of them are in developing countries. In India the incidence of epilepsy is 0.5 to 1.7 percent in the general population, and there are approximately 10-15 million epileptics in our country.
Epilepsy is not a disease, it is a sign or symptoms of underlying neurological disorder. Epilepsy means the tendency to have “seizures”. Epilepsy is the oldest known brain disorder. On the other hand, seizures are short episode of symptoms caused by a burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Typically, a seizure lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes.
CAUSES OF EPILEPSY
There is no single cause of epilepsy. Many factors can injure the nerve cell in the brain.
The following are some of the most frequently identifiable causes in small number of cases.
* Head injury that causes damage to the brain tissue.
* Trauma at birth, or high fever.
* Certain drugs or toxic substances when administered in large doses.
* Interruption of blood flow to the brain caused by stroke or certain cardiovascular problems.
* Diseases which alter the balance of blood or its chemical structure, or diseases that damages the nerve cells in the brain.
* Infections, Viral, N.C.C, tuberculosis, bacterial etc.
However in some cases epilepsy could also be due to some unidentified disorders and in 75 percent of cases there is no known cause and this is known as Idiopathic epilepsy.
There are certain factors which trigger seizures:
* Lack of sleep
* High fever
* Loud noise
* Stressful conditions
* Increased excitement
* Flashing lights
* Drug withdrawal etc.
The failures in understanding and treating properly epilepsy, has resulted in resistant chronic seizures, which is due to socio-economic problems, and prejudices, since majority of people in our country wants to hide the disease.
Do’s :
* Have normal interaction with family and friends and keep self confidence and be optimistic.
* Never hide the disease.
* Always consult nearest primary care physician and if he feels then consult Neurologist.
* Avoid stressful conditions.
* Take drugs regularly.
* Have proper sleep and good diet and a healthy life style may assist in the maintenance of optimum seizure control.
* See your doctor regularly.
* Keep stock of medicines and don’t change brand of drugs even if the seizures are controlled.
DON’TS
Do not jump to conclusions regarding your epilepsy.
* Do not withdraw socially or become isolated.
* Do not indulge in alcohol or drug abuse.
* Do not let epilepsy stand in your way of achieving your goals in life.
* Do not stop medicines of your own.
* Do not hesitate to report any side effect or drug intolerance to your doctor.
* Avoid very bright light and loud noise.
* Do not discontinue or reduce drugs during some concurrent illness or pregnancy or otherwise. These are the common causes of uncontrolled epilepsy.
* Avoid going near fire, deep water or over heights.
FACTS ABOUT EPILEPSY
* Epilepsy is not infectious or contagious.
* Epilepsy is not caused by evil spirits or supernatural factors.
* Epilepsy is not related to mental illness it is because of the involvement of the brain, epilepsy has been mistakenly associated with psychiatric disorders.
* Epilepsy is treated with drugs and duration of treatment is three to five years but in some resistant cases they may need surgical treatment.
PRECAUTIONS
Keep clam; you cannot stop a seizure once it has started. Let the seizure run its own course. Do not try to overpower the person.
* Ease the person to the floor and loosen clothing.
* Try to remove any hard, sharp, or hot objects that might injure the person. It may be necessary to place a cushion or soft item under his head.
* Turn the patient to one side to drain saliva from the mouth.
* Let the patient rest or sleep for sometime after the convulsion.
* In case of a child having seizure, contact his/her parents or guardian.
* If the person undergoes a series of convulsions, with each successive one occurring before he or she fully recovered consciousness, or a single seizure lasting longer than 10 minutes, you should immediately consult a neurologist and shift the patient to the hospital.
* Do not force or insert anything in the mouth of the patient.
* Do not restrain the convulsive movements while holding or protecting the patients from injury.
* Do not crowd around the patient, allow free air circulation.
* Do not offer anything to eat or drink till he/she is fully conscious.
REMEMBER: People with epilepsy can marry and women can produce children and breast feed their new born under the guidance of the neurologists and gynecologist. With the advancement in the treatment, epilepsy can be treated easily is almost 80 percent of the patients. With the discovery of new medicines for epilepsy, it is very safe to use them for a longer time.
The management of a person with epilepsy is not mere controlling of seizure, it is more than it. To dispel the myths, misconception and stigma attached to epilepsy, and to integrate the people with epilepsy into society, patient education, public education is need of hour which is the message of today’s National Epilepsy Day. To conclude the epilepsy is a treatable disease and people should come forward for treatment and beware of quacks and never believe in evil spirits or supernatural powers.
(The author is a Neurologist)
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com

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