Epilepsy- some myths and facts

Dr.Jiji.T.S. Social Worker, SCTIMST . INTRODUCTION

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in the world. According to a study published by the World Health Organization in 2009, epilepsy affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. In the past, people with epilepsy have been alienated because of their condition in some countries, they still are. Up until the 20th century, some U.S. states prohibited people with epilepsy from marrying or having children.

There are many ancient myths about epilepsy, and some of those superstitions still remain. At various times, people with epilepsy were shunned, locked up in mental institutions or forbidden to marry or have children. Seizures were thought to be caused by witchcraft, insanity, possession by demons, feeblemindedness, even masturbation.

Misconceptions about the disease are many. It is not an inherited disease, as against the myth that it is. There may be others in the family with epilepsy. But it is not from parent to child, the doctor assures.
Another myth is there is no good cure to the disease. A good number of epileptic cases can be prevented and it can also be eminently treated. People think that you will continue getting seizures no matter what you do. About 65-70% of the patients can be controlled, by the use of one or two medicines. In the remaining 30-35%, the medicine dose may be more and at least half of them can be treated with surgery. It is only 15-20% who may not benefit from the treatment. The reason there may occur many seizures is when the patient is not properly diagnosed or does not strictly follow treatment. They should take medicines correctly, have regular meals and good sleep. Some kind of discipline is necessary.

Some common myths about Epilepsy are

Myth #1: Seizures Always Involve Convulsions Epilepsy is not the same for everyone. Many people who experience seizures do not pass out or experience convulsions at all. Instead, epilepsy symptoms can include:

y y y

Confusion Staring into space Strange sensations.

A seizure is characterized by abnormally rapid firing of the neurons in the brain, which depending on where the brain is affected can cause seizures to present in different ways.

Myth #2: Epilepsy Is Always Inherited

This is one of the most common myths about epilepsy. Although some types of epilepsy tend to run in families, genetic inheritance is only one of the many factors that can cause epilepsy. Having a family history seizures, but their risk Foundation of America, percent (as opposed to disease). of epilepsy appears to make an indi idual more susceptible to having v of developing epilepsy is still quite low. According to the Epilepsy the risk of seizures in children of parents with epilepsy is only 4 to 8 1 percen for the general population without a family history of the t

Myth #3: Epilepsy Symptoms Last a Lifetime

Seizures in children often disappear when the child grows up. Approximately 70 percent of people with epilepsy are expected to enter remission (generally defined as being seizure free for five years or more on medication). Most of these individuals are expected to remain free from epilepsy symptoms when they stop taking medication.

Myth #4: Seizures Always Cause Brain Damage

Seizures rarely cause brain damage, unless an individual experiences prolonged seizures or several seizures in quick succession. This condition is called "status epilepticus." Seizures can affect cognitive abilities, such as memory and thought patterns. The effects can be temporary or permanent, This can present additional challenges for people with epilepsy, but does not signify brain damage or below-average intelligence.

Myth #5: People Can Swallow Their Tongue During a Seizure

It's physically impossible for someone to swallow their tongue. In fact, putting a spoon or anything else into someone's mouth while they're having a seizure could harm them.

Myth #6: People with Epilepsy Can't Lead a Normal Life

This is probably one of the most dangerous myths about epilepsy. If peopl with epilepsy believe e they can't succeed in life because of their disorder, they will have difficulty overcoming the challenges their disorder brings. Children are especially susceptible to being influenced by the reactions of others to their disorder. Many children and adults with epilepsy struggle with low selfesteem as a result of the stigma and alienation attached to their disorder Most people are able to live a normal life and control their seizures with medication or some other form of treatment. Epilepsy may sometimes mean living with some limitations (such as being un able to drive), but it need not be a barrier to leading a full, successful life.

Following are six common myths that still linger on, and that the Epilepsy Association of the Eastern Shore wants to erase forever:
Myth #1- Epilepsy is contagious You simply cannot catch epilepsy from another person!

Myth #2- You can swallow your tongue during a seizure It's physically impossible to swallow your tongue. In fact, you should never force something into the mouth of someone having a seizure. That's a good way to chip teeth, puncture gums, or even break someone's jaw. Myth #3- People with epilepsy are disabled and can't work People with the condition have the same range of abilities and intelligence as the rest of us. Some have sever seizures and cannot work; others are successful and productive in challenging careers. People with seizure disorders are found in all walks of life and at all levels of business, government, the arts and the professions. Myth #4- People with epilepsy look different Unless someone with epilepsy is actually having a seizure there is no way that his or her condition can be detected. Myth #5- Epilepsy is a form of mental illness Epilepsy is an umbrella term covering about twenty different types of seizure disorders. It is a functional, physical problem, not a mental one. Myth #6- With today's medication, epilepsy is largely a solved problem Epilepsy is a chronic medical problem that for many people can be successfully treated. Unfortunately, treatment doesn't work for everyone and there's a critical need for more research. The truth is that epilepsy is a fairly common disorder (there are over 3,000 cases on Maryland's Eastern Shore alone) that can happen to anybody at any time. In the vast majority of cases, epilepsy should not be a barrier to a normal, productive life. It is too often people's misconceptions about epilepsy which create the disability, not epilepsy itself.

Epilepsy Facts
Epilepsy affects more people than cerebral palsy, cancer, tuberculosis, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis combined. Epilepsy can occur at any time in life, and for many people the cause is unknown. In epilepsy some brain cells discharge when they aren't supposed to, but the important question is why this some happens. Some of the things which cause an individual to have a low seizure threshold (be more likely to have seizures than the average person) are: y y y y y Acquired congenital and hereditary di seases Birth or pre-birth trauma (injuries) Abnormal metabolism Chemical imbalance Allergies

y y y y y y

Poisoning (lead is the most common) Brain tumours (less than 10-15%) Central nervous system infections, such as meningitis and encephalitis Scar formation in the brain from head injury or surgery Stroke Liver disease, alteration in blood sugar, vitamin deficiencies

The leading cause of epilepsy for adults is automobile accidents. The leading cause for children is birth trauma. The leading cause for those over 65 is strokes.

Seizure Emergency Checklist

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Do not restrain - it can make the seizure more severe. Stay nearby. Speak kindly. If the person is moving around, remove dangerous, sharp or hot objects from the area. Stand behind the person and gently guide him or her away from danger. If the person shakes or falls, turn the head or whole body to the side so that saliva can drain from the mouth. Force nothing between the teeth. The outdated practice of putting an object in the mouth to prevent the person from swallowing the tongue is not appropriate. The tongue cannot be swallowed. A hard object can increase damage to the tongue from biting, and a soft object can become lodged in the throat, causing suffocation. If the seizure lasts more than 10 minutes, call an ambulance. When the seizure is over, let the person rest.

8. 9.

A persistent myth is that people with epilepsy are in danger of swallowing their tongues during a seizure, so anyone witnessing a seizure should put a spoon or a similar object into the mouth of the person with epilepsy. Some misinformed people believe that those who have epilepsy shouldn t drive, fly, or drink alcohol and aren t allowed to marry. The truth is, unless they ve had a seizure within the last year, people with epilepsy are safe to drive. They travel on airplanes like anyone else. Some people with the condition don t drink alcohol because it makes their seizures worse; others find that it makes no difference at all whether or not they drink. And, as for marriage, nothing about epilepsy prevents people who have it from finding and marrying a special someone and living a long and happy life together.

Famous people with epilepsy include Julius Caesar, Socrates, Alexander the Great, Tchaikovsky, Van Gogh, Dostoyevski, Dickens, Dante, da Vinci, Mozart and Alfred Nobel.