Epilepsy is a chronic disease and one of the most common neurological disorders which affects people of all ages. Epilepsy, by definition, is the tendency to have seizures in person without any provocative factor. These seizures are usually recurrent, unprovoked and usually have various types and symptoms.
The chances of a single person having a seizure in a lifetime are about 23-69 per 100,000 population. The tendency of repeated seizures is still less, but patients diagnosed with epilepsy have to face tremendous challenges throughout their lifetime. While the incidence of having seizures is high in early childhood, the causative factors differ according to age. In infants and toddlers, the most common causes include birth-related events and early-life infections; adolescents and adults get seizures mostly due to accidental causes. Seizures in elderly populations are predominantly due to degenerative diseases or strokes.
The duration of seizures varies from 10 seconds to 2-3 minutes and rarely exceeds 5 minutes. Patients complaining of such a seizure are immediately advised for an MRI brain and EEG, which help doctors to decide the route of treatment.
Dos in Epilepsy:
If you witness someone having a seizure, Please
Stay calm
Move things out of the way
Place something soft and flat under the head
Try to turn the person on his/ her side
If you are in a public place, clear a path for emergency medical workers
Do not’s in Epilepsy:
Do Not restrain the person.
Do Not Offer food or drink OR put anything in the person’s mouth.
Do Not attempt artificial respiration unless the person is not breathing when the seizure has stopped.
Apart from medical help, the social conditioning of the patient is equally important due to the stigma attached to the disorder .Today, medical practitioners, plays an important role educating the patient & his family. Epilepsy is just like any other disease which can be treated with proper care, helping the individual to live a normal life.
FAQs
What is epilepsy? Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures.
How is epilepsy managed? Management includes medications, lifestyle modifications, and, in some cases, surgery.
Can epilepsy be cured? While there is no universal cure, seizures can often be controlled with proper treatment.
What triggers epilepsy seizures? Triggers include stress, sleep deprivation, flashing lights, and alcohol.
How can one support someone with epilepsy? Learn first-aid for seizures, provide emotional support, and encourage medication adherence.
