International Epilepsy Day. Monday, February 14, 2022.
This the 50th year of Indian Epilepsy Association (IEA). The IEA is conducting many webinars and media campaigns all over the country to bring more awareness about epilepsy. Epilepsy is one of the commonest neurological disorders. Most of the patients do well on anti-seizure medications. However, still there are many doubts and misconceptions about this in the mind of general public.
Here are some general educational facts about epilepsy (Patients should contact their treating doctor for more information and questions regarding their specific treatment):
- Epilepsy is a tendency to have recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical discharge in brain. It is a medical disorder like any other illness, and can be managed with proper treatment.
- Anti-seizure medicines are the mainstay of treatment. Some medicines are effective for specific types of epilepsies, so they should be started after consulting the appropriate doctor.
- The prescribed medicines need to be taken regularly, as missing even a single dose of the anti-seizure medicine can cause seizure recurrence. If someone has any medicine related side effects, they should discuss with their doctor. They should not suddenly stop their medication on their own, as it can bring about major seizures.
- Some people feel all epilepsy patients require 3 years of treatment. The fact is that epilepsy has different types. Some types may need to be treated longer or shorter than three years.
- Epilepsy is not contagious. So, living with a person with epilepsy will not put anyone at risk of developing epilepsy.
- Some people try to stop a seizure by making patients smell shoes, putting water in mouth, or trying to open the clenched teeth. This should not be done during a seizure, as it doesn’t help, and can cause harm.
- Some seizures/epilepsies can be prevented by being aware about the risk factors. For example, unsafe childbirth without adequate medical support, can lead to brain damage and epilepsy in the newborn. Consumption of unhygienic food can lead to neurocysticercosis in the brain, one of the common causes of seizures in our setting. Driving rash or without helmets can lead to accidents and brain injury, another common cause of epilepsy.
- Many famous people have achieved excellence in many fields in spite of living with epilepsy! Well controlled epilepsy doesn’t create much hurdles in realizing one’s potential in life. Some precautions may be required, and few activities avoided, about which you can ask your treating doctor.
