Living Well with Epilepsy
- Dr Parampreet S. Kharbanda. Professor, Dept of Neurology, PGIMER, Chandigarh.
This year’s International Epilepsy Day falls on February 13, 2023. On this occasion, the department of Neurology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, under the leadership of the HOD Prof. Vivek Lal, strives to do some special activities for the epilepsy patients. Today our team interacted with many patients and their families at our Neurology OPD (Picture 1). We provided them with useful tips to manage their epilepsy better; and also answered their queries and doubts about the same. The discussion included the following topics:
(Note: These are some general educational facts about epilepsy; Patients should contact their treating doctor for more information and questions regarding their specific treatment):
- What is Epilepsy (Mirgi)?
- Epilepsy is one of the commonest neurological disorders. It is a tendency to have recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical discharges in brain. It is a medical disorder like any other illness, and can be managed with proper treatment.
- What is the treatment of Epilepsy?
- Anti-seizure medicines are the mainstay of treatment. Some medicines are effective for specific types of epilepsies, so they should be started after consulting the appropriate doctor. Most of the patients do well on anti-seizure medications. Surgery is useful in some of the cases, where medicines are not able control seizures.
- How to take Epilepsy Medicines?
- The prescribed medicines need to be taken regularly, as missing even a single dose of the anti-seizure medicine can cause seizure recurrence. If someone has any medicine related side effects, they should discuss with their doctor. They should not suddenly stop their medication on their own, as it can bring about major seizures.
- How Long Treatment is needed?
- Some people feel that all epilepsy patients require 3 years of treatment. The fact is that epilepsy has different subtypes. Some types may need to be treated longer or shorter than three years.
- Is Epilepsy Contagious?
- Epilepsy is not contagious. So, living with a person with epilepsy will not put anyone at risk of developing epilepsy.
- What not to do during a seizure?
- Some people try to stop a seizure by making patients smell shoes, putting water in mouth, or trying to open the clenched teeth. This should not be done during a seizure, as it doesn’t help, and can cause harm.
- Is epilepsy preventable?
- Some seizures can be prevented by being aware about the risk factors. For example, unsafe childbirth without adequate medical support, can lead to brain damage and epilepsy in the newborn. Consumption of unhygienic food can lead to neurocysticercosis infection in the brain, one of the common causes of seizures in our setting. Driving rash can lead to accidents and brain injury, another common cause of epilepsy.
Picture 1: Team of the Neurology Department, PGIMER, Chandigarh interacting with patients and their attendants. (Rt to Left: Prof Parampreet S. Kharbanda, Dr Kamalesh Chakravarty, Dr Jitupam Baishya, Ms Neetu Choudhary)
