Today is international Epilepsy Day.The day is
celebrated every February 8 to provide
the platform for people with epilepsy to share their experiences and stories
with a global audience and thereby to build a stronger epilepsy community.Developed in line with a strategy to advocate for appropriate legislation to guarantee human rights of people with epilepsy and to empower people with epilepsy to maximise their quality of life. Apart from these, International Epilepsy Day aims to highlight that:
- epilepsy still remains a hidden disease due to the stigma attached;
- it is treatable, yet 40% of people living with epilepsy in wealthier countries do not receive appropriate treatment. Over 70% of those living in low income countries cannot even access epilepsy medication regularly;
- lack of treatment imposes a huge financial burden on national health systems;
- research and legislation remain key issues in improving the quality of life of persons with epilepsy.
The recurring theme for International Epilepsy
Day is “Epilepsy is more than Seizures” .
This theme highlights the fact that, for many people, the stigma and
discrimination faced by people with epilepsy, can be more difficult to overcome
than the seizures themselves. Despite the fact that up to 70% of people with
epilepsy will have their seizures successfully controlled, in the general
public there is still fear and ignorance on what epilepsy really is. An
international day focused on epilepsy, will help to raise awareness and
educate both the general public on the true facts about epilepsy, and the
urgent need for improved treatment and care, and greater investment in
research.
As we
celebrate the day lets learn about the disease Epilepsy.
To start with,
Epilepsy is a problem with the brain’s electrical system. Electrical impulses
cause brief changes in movement, behavior, feeling, or awareness. These events,
known as seizures, may last from a few seconds to a few minutes. People who
have had two or more seizures without obvious triggers separated by at least 24
hours are considered to have epilepsy.
Epilepsy Symptoms
Epilepsy
is widely known for causing convulsions which is sudden, uncontrolled
movements. But seizures can trigger a wide range of other symptoms, from staring
to falling to fumbling with clothes. Doctors divide seizures into different
types depending on how the brain is affected. Each has its own set of symptoms.
Absence Seizures
Absence
seizures are often described as staring spells. The person stops what he is
doing and stares vacantly for a few seconds, then continues as if nothing
happened. This type of seizure is more common in children and usually starts
between the ages of 4 and 12. Some children have as many as 100 absence
seizures in one day.
Partial Seizures
In partial
seizures, just one side of the brain is affected. A person having a simple
partial seizure may have jerking motions or hallucinations, and still be aware
of what is happening. When having a complex partial seizure, a person may
wander, mumble, smack their lips, or fumble with their clothes. He or she may
appear to be conscious to those around them, but is actually unaware of what
they are doing.
Causes of Epilepsy
Anything
that disrupts the brain’s natural circuitry can cause epilepsy, such as:
- Severe head injury
- Brain infection or disease
- Stroke
- Oxygen deprivation
A specific
cause is never found for nearly two-thirds of people with epilepsy.
Epilepsy in Children
Children with epilepsy may outgrow it in a few years. Before then, many kids are able to stop seizures by taking regular medication. If drugs alone don't keep it under control, other treatments may help. A well-informed school staff can help a child with epilepsy safely take part in most activities.
Epilepsy Complications
The best
way to avoid complications is to find a treatment that helps you and stick with
it. Most people with epilepsy live long lives and rarely are injured during
their seizures. A person who tends to fall during seizures may need a special
helmet to protect his head. Some types of seizures may increase the risk of
death, but this is rare.
Epilepsy Safety Precautions
Because
seizures often strike without warning, certain activities can be dangerous.
Losing consciousness while swimming or even taking a bath could be
life-threatening. The same goes for many extreme sports, such as mountain
climbing. Most states require you to be seizure-free for a certain amount of
time before driving a car.
Treatment: Medication
Anti-seizure
drugs are the most common treatment for epilepsy. If a medication isn't
successful, your doctor may adjust the dosage or switch to a different drug.
About two-thirds of people with epilepsy become seizure-free by taking their
medication as prescribed.
Treatment: Ketogenic Diet
If medications
fail or cause side effects, a doctor may recommend this special diet. It's
strict, and you'll needs to be watched closely by a medical team. The diet is
high in fat and low in carbs, a combination that makes the body burn fat
instead of sugar. This creates changes in the brain that help reduce seizures.
More than half of children who follow this diet have at least 50% less
seizures. Some even stop having seizures.
Treatment: VNS
VNS stands
for vagus nerve stimulation, a treatment that is sometimes called a “pacemaker
for the brain.” A small device is placed under the skin of the chest. It sends
electrical pulses to the brain, through a large nerve in the neck called the
vagus nerve. VNS may be an option for people who don't do well with medication.
Treatment: Surgery
If you
have partial seizures, surgery may stop them. If the medical team can determine
that your seizures always begin in a single area of the brain, removing the
area may stop them or make them easier to manage. Surgery may also treat
conditions that cause the seizures, such as a brain tumor.
First Aid for Seizures
If you see
someone having a seizure, take the following steps:
- Time how long it lasts.
- Clear the area of anything hard or sharp.
- Loosen anything at the neck that may affect breathing.
- Turn the person onto his or her side.
- Put something soft beneath the head.
- Don't place anything inside the mouth.
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