International Epilepsy Day

By Dr. Sushma Sharma in Neurosciences Neurology

Feb 13, 2018

It’s a common misconception that seizures always involve dramatic muscle jerks or convulsions. In reality, many seizures are subtle and can easily go unnoticed. Some may appear as brief moments of confusion, blank staring, or unusual sensations.

To enhance global awareness and understanding of this often misunderstood condition, International Epilepsy Day is celebrated annually on the second Monday of February. This important day serves not only to educate people about epilepsy but also to highlight the challenges faced by those living with it.

The goal is to break the stigma, spread accurate information about epilepsy, and emphasize the need for early diagnosis, proper treatment, and compassionate care. Through awareness, we can build a more supportive world for individuals affected by epilepsy and their families.

Also Read: Understanding Epilepsy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

 All you need to know about Epilepsy:

• Epilepsy is also known as ‘seizure disorder’. It is a chronic non-communicable disease of the brain which is identified by recurrent unprovoked seizure. This disease doesn’t discriminate based on age; it can affect anyone belonging to any age.
• There are various scenarios in which the patient suffers from epilepsy along with other psychiatric illness such as ADHD, Autism, learning disabilities, etc. There is no such prior warning for the occurrence of Epileptic seizure, though some people have the semblance about the seizure before its occurrence

In India alone, nearly 12 million people live with epilepsy—making up a staggering one-sixth of all epilepsy cases worldwide.

Also Read: Epilepsy Myths vs. Facts: Dispelling Common Misconceptions

Epilepsy in India:

• Nearly 50 million people are suffering from Epilepsy all across the globe, making it the most common neurological disorder in the world. It has been observed that more than 85% of people who suffers from epilepsy belong to low-income countries which include India also.
• In Indian subcontinent, ‘Neurocysticercosis (parasitic disease of the nervous system)’ is subject to 30% of seizure disorders. In India, around 12 million individuals are affected by epilepsy, representing one-sixth of the global burden of this condition. The number of people who are prone to suffer from epilepsy in India is around 14 people per 1,000 populations.  The higher estimates include children, young adults and people from rural areas.
• Nearly 95% of individuals with epilepsy in India do not receive any treatment. 60% of people residing in urban areas consult their doctors after a seizure attack, and only 10% people from rural areas consult doctors. The treatment for this disorder is long term as it takes nearly about 2 years of time. As we all know that once we feel free from the disease, we don’t bother to complete the medication course and thus stops the medicines and wait for the next episode to happen. Ideally this should not happen, and we should religiously follow the treatment plan recommended by doctor.

Also Read: Epilepsy Causes: Unraveling the Triggers

Sign and Symptoms of Epilepsy:

• Mumbling, dazed behavior, short blackouts
• Repetitive unusual body movements, such as frequent head nodding or rapid blinking
• Sudden and repeated fear or anger
• Frequent complaints about the things looking, sounding, smelling, tasting or feeling “Funny”
• Stomach pain followed by confusion and sleepiness
• Unusual sleepiness and irritability when woken up
• If you experience any of these symptoms, consult a specialist promptly for proper diagnosis and treatment.

 Also Read: Can Epilepsy be Treated by Surgery?

Preventive measures:

• In most cases epilepsy develops due to head injury, so it is very important to wear helmet while driving two wheeler vehicles for the prevention of any head injury.
• Immediate treatment should be taken when the symptoms begin
• Control over hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol level will help in preventing the disease.
• Intake of balanced diet, limiting the intake of alcohol and illicit drugs while quitting smoking also helps in the prevention of epilepsy.
• It has been observed that nearly 70% of people respond positively to epilepsy treatment.