Epilepsy: Awareness is as important as treatment
Epilepsy, which is locally referred to as mirgi or daura in rural areas, is considered a devastating illness in our country. It is considered a curse in backward areas, especially if present in a female.
A common question that we, neurologists, often come across in routine practice, is whether this condition is genetically passed on by family members or if it can be transmitted from a patient to a healthy individual. “Does a patient with epilepsy have to take medications throughout their lifetime?” or “Can an epilepsy patient marry?” are some other frequently asked questions. Not only in rural setups, but people belonging from urban areas also have a dilemma whether female patients can become pregnant or not.
The answer to these questions is that in many epilepsy cases, there is no genetic mutation. Most of these are generally acquired. Epilepsy is not a disease that always lasts a lifetime either. Usually, a course of antiepileptic drugs for three to five years is sufficient in most of the patients for complete cure. Patients of epilepsy can marry as well as give birth and raise their children just like non-epileptic patients.
In our country, especially in rural setups where illiteracy and poverty are very high, a rise in unethical treatment practices to treat epilepsy — like putting a spoon in the mouth during an episode of a seizure, tightly holding the patient leading to injury, even breaking of dentures and shoulder dislocation — can be noticed.
There is a great knowledge gap that still exists in society regarding epilepsy and its treatment.
So, proper knowledge of epilepsy is important. It can be brought about through
There’s still a knowledge gap surrounding epilepsy. DR AMIT AGRAWAL,
frequent camps, posters, newspapers or pamphlets to reduce the burden of the disease and also improve the quality of life of patients.
HTC
Disclaimer: The veracity of the claims made in this article is the responsibility of the hospital/
doctor concerned