EPILEPSY AWARENESS

Epilepsy, the 4th most common neurological disease, is estimated to have approximately 10 million patients in India alone. Statistics from various studies suggest that 1 out of 200 people at some point in their life suffer from this neurological issue.

Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness. individual encounters repeated unprovoked seizures which are brought about by a sporadic, unexpected, and extreme electrical release from cells in the brain. Much like many of our fellow human beings, epilepsy does not discriminate between races, gender, ethnicity, and ages.

According to Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, “Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs. Having a single seizure doesn't mean you have epilepsy. At least two seizures without a known trigger (unprovoked seizures) that happen at least 24 hours apart are generally required for an epilepsy diagnosis. Though most require lifelong treatment, Some children with epilepsy may outgrow the condition with age”.

Because epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in the brain, seizures can affect any process your brain coordinates. Seizure signs and symptoms may include:

●????Confusion

●????Fixated staring

●????Stiff muscles

●????Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs

●????Loss of consciousness or awareness

●????Psychological symptoms such as fear, anxiety, or deja vu

Based on how and where the abnormal brain activity begins doctors generally classify seizures as either focal or generalized.

Focal seizures appear to result from abnormal activity in just one area of your brain.

These seizures fall into two categories:

A.??Focal seizures without loss of consciousness. Once called simple partial seizures, they may alter emotions or change the way things look, smell, feel, taste or sound. This type of seizure may also result in the involuntary jerking of one body part and/or spontaneous sensory symptoms such as tingling, dizziness, and flashing lights.

B.??Focal seizures with impaired awareness. Once called complex partial seizures, the type of seizure may seem like being in a dream. During a focal seizure with impaired awareness, you might not be able to respond normally to your environment or perform repetitive movements (for example; walking in circles).

Generalized seizures appear to involve all areas of the brain are called generalized seizures. Six types of generalized seizures exist.

●????Absence seizures- Previously known as petit mal seizures, typically occur in children. They're characterized by staring into space with or without subtle body movements such as eye blinking or lip smacking and only last between 5-10 seconds. These seizures may occur as often as 100 times per day, and cause a brief loss of awareness.

●????Tonic seizures- They cause stiff muscles and may affect consciousness. These seizures usually affect muscles in your back, arms, and legs and may cause you to fall to the ground.

●????Atonic seizures- Also known as drop seizures, this seizure causes loss of muscle control. Since this most often affects the legs, it often causes you to suddenly collapse or fall.

●????Clonic seizures- It is also associated with repeated or rhythmic, jerking muscle movements. These seizures usually affect the neck, face, and arms.

●????Myoclonic seizures- They usually appear as sudden brief jerks or twitches and usually affect the upper body, arms, and legs.

●????Tonic-clonic seizures- Also known as grand mal seizures, are the most dramatic type of epileptic seizure. They can cause an abrupt loss of consciousness and body stiffening, twitching, and shaking. They sometimes cause loss of bladder control or biting of your tongue.

It is important to check all the symptoms you might be experiencing. If any of your symptoms are causing significant troubles in your everyday functioning, please visit your nearest doctor to get a proper diagnosis. Only after proper diagnosis and understanding its severity would you be able to start the effective treatment options given according to your challenges.

There are some myths that we in the medical industry come across very often. These myths can cause hindrances in your journey to seeking treatment and in your recovery price

#1 Myth – Epilepsy is nothing, there are “evil spirits” or “supernatural powers in play. “Bhoot aya hai”.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition. It is not caused due to some external forces. It should be treated by neurologists, epileptologists, doctors, and pediatricians. A lot of people have superstitious beliefs and tend to go to places that can “remove” the spirit that is within them. This delays getting treatment and prolonged brain abnormality can also become fatal.

#2Myth – Epilepsy is infectious.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that doesn’t spread by coming into contact with somebody who has seizures. It is a brain condition, not a virus/ bacteria that can be transmitted through any means.

#3 Myth – Epilepsy affects intelligence.

Studies suggest that on average, epileptic patients appear to have a similar degree of intelligence as healthy people. The learning capabilities of patients will only be affected if the frequency and power of seizures increase.

#4 Myth – During a seizure, epileptic patients sometimes swallow their tongues.

Fact – An individual having seizures may wind up biting his/her tongue, but it is difficult to swallow the tongue and choke.

#5 Myth – If you’ve had a seizure, you have epilepsy.

Not all seizures can be due to epilepsy. Seizures can occur due to different reasons like high temperature, binge drinking, head damage, etc.

#6 Myth – You should force something into the mouth of somebody having a seizure.

During most seizures, the individual is unconscious and incapable of dealing with foreign objects in his/her mouth. Therefore, it is never advised to place something in the mouth of someone having an epileptic seizure.

There are a few of the myths that we have tried to debunk and provide you with accurate information for the same might be. If you have any more questions or have any doubts please contact us and we would love to help provide you with accurate information. You can reach out to us at 1800-833-8747 or email us at [email protected]

We want to leave you with this article by telling you a few steps that you can take If you encounter someone having a seizure:

●?????Help the person down in a safe position, turn them to their side, cushion their head, and time the seizure.

●?????Never hold them down or force anything into their mouth.

●?????Comfort the person and speak calmly, and help others also remain calm.

●?????Check to see if the person is wearing a medical bracelet or has other visible emergency information and stay with them until they are awake and alert.

●?????If the seizure lasts longer than five minutes or the person doesn’t return to their original state, call 108.

●?????If they’re fine, offer to call or coordinate a ride to make sure the person gets home safely.

Educate yourself about the illness you are facing, and even those encountered by your close ones. Only when you know the illness will you be able to help the individual in a more precise manner whenever help is needed. We at Transform Happily are happy to share some information about this lesser-known disease called Epilepsy. This Epilepsy Awareness Month let us pledge to learn more about such diseases as there is no prevention without YOU being involved.?