To dispel myths regarding epilepsy, National Epilepsy Day is held yearly. Epilepsy patients may live regular lives with medicine and a cheerful mindset…
Every November 17, National Epilepsy Day raises awareness and dispels misunderstandings and prejudices regarding this medical condition. Every seizure isn’t epilepsy, yet many individuals experience one. Epilepsy is diagnosed when a person has multiple seizures or is at risk of having another due to delayed developmental milestones, family history of seizures, abnormal neurological examination, febrile seizures in childhood, or head trauma.
Dr. Kandraju Sai Satish, Consultant Neurologist & Epileptologist, Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad, said aging does not cause seizures. Seizures may occur at any age, although they are more common in the early and late phases. While many seizures have a cause, others have no known cause. Focal seizures arise from one tiny area of the brain on one side, whereas generalized seizures occur from the full brain. The drugs used to treat focal and generalized seizures vary, thus segregation is crucial. Good seizure management requires taking drugs consistently, getting enough sleep, and avoiding recreational drug use.
There are various negative effects of anti-seizure drugs in literature, although they are rare and not everyone who takes them experiences them. Though these adverse effects should be considered, they should not dissuade usage. 70% of persons taking regular drugs will not have seizures again, while the remainder have Drug Refractory Epilepsy, which occurs despite well-chosen and dosed treatments. Thus, selecting the right anti-seizure medicine for the seizure type and patient profile is crucial. All Drug Refractory Epilepsy patients are investigated for surgical causes, although only a minority successfully control seizures after surgery.
The doctor also stressed that surgery controls seizures, not stops drugs. Epilepsy patients might die from SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), hence seizure management is crucial. Knowing the aforementioned, he underlines that a person with epilepsy may succeed in any field. Some Epilepsy survivors have excelled in various fields. With proper medicine, epilepsy patients may live normally. Epileptologists aim for more effective and safer drugs as research continues. Finally, he said epilepsy patients must embrace the disease with a positive outlook to overcome it.
Conclusion
To remove misinformation and stigma concerning epilepsy, National Epilepsy Day is honored yearly. A person with epilepsy experiences several seizures or is at risk of having another owing to missed developmental milestones, family history of seizures, abnormal neurological evaluation, febrile seizures throughout childhood, or head trauma.
Dr. Kandraju Sai Satish, Consultant Neurologist & Epileptologist at Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad, says seizures may have their initial appearance at any age. Focal seizures arise from one tiny portion of the brain on one side, whereas generalized seizures strike the whole brain. These seizures are treated with different drugs, which must be taken regularly without missing a dosage, with enough sleep, and without recreational drug usage.
Drugs that treat seizures seldom cause side effects, although not everyone does. 70% of persons taking regular drugs will never have seizures again, while the remainder suffer Drug Refractory Epilepsy, which persists despite well-chosen and dosed meds.
To manage seizures, surgery is done, not to cease drugs. With proper treatment, epilepsy patients may live a normal life. As research continues, new treatments may become more effective and safe. Epileptics must embrace their situation and be optimistic to overcome it.
