Bringing Awareness to Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a chronic disease that elicits seizures (moments of uncontrollable movements that can also involve the loss of awareness and consciousness) and causes them to occur more frequently. They are caused by large amounts of electrical discharges in brain cells that disrupt regular brain signals that relay functions and information. This can be the result of genetics and heredity, trauma to the head, brain conditions, infections, brain damage at birth, and/or developmental disabilities. There are two types of seizures: focal seizures occur in one side of the brain and are generally milder as the other side of the brain continues to function properly, while generalized seizures occur in both sides of the brain and tend to be more severe. Seizures can occur in a person without epilepsy, but they will be extremely rare. For epilepsy to be diagnosed, a person must have two or more seizures in a 24 hour period. Epilepsy has been diagnosed in over 50 million people worldwide and can affect anyone, regardless of gender, race, culture, religion, and age. Its symptoms can vary dramatically in effect and severity due to the extent and location of discharges.
Seizures can be stimulated by alcohol, flashing lights, drugs, insufficient sleep, hormonal imbalances during the menstrual cycle, stress, and/or dehydration. An approaching seizure can be indicated by signs known as aura. Aura can be an unwarranted feeling of fear, deja vu (feeling as though you have experienced the present situation before), hallucinations, or dizziness. Provisional symptoms include loss of consciousness, unruly movement, unusual sensations, and mood changes. Physical and psychological conditions are more common among those with epilepsy due to the fact that symptoms are uncontrollable. Symptoms can lead to falls, drowning, and burns depending on the situation due to a person losing control of themselves. Depression and anxiety can also be the result of worrying over whether a seizure might occur. Finally, memory loss can occur since the brain cannot store memories during a seizure and effects may linger afterwards as it tries to recuperate.
So, what do you do if you have a seizure or epilepsy? In either case you should go see a doctor to be evaluated. There are many medications that can be used to treat and control seizures that must be taken in the correct dosage and at the consistent proper times to be effective. However, there are barriers to treatment. Low-income countries may have less resources and medication to offer. Roughly ¾ of people with epilepsy are not treated in such nations. In addition, there is stigma associated with epilepsy that may result in social and physical rejection and isolation, such as bullying, which can reinforce a feeling of worthlessness in people afflicted with epilepsy and therefore discourage them from receiving treatment. People may falsely believe myths such as that epilepsy is contagious. Creating awareness for epilepsy is not only necessary to educate people so that they can identify causes, symptoms, and treatment when it affects themselves or others, but it also highlights barriers that need to be broken for treatment to be more accessible and to allow more people to live healthy lives.
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month which can raise acknowledgement and understanding of the issue. You can contribute by educating those around you, taking part in local epilepsy support groups, or reading and sharing stories of those with epilepsy. This can reduce stigma and support those affected both directly and indirectly by epilepsy by giving them hope. Hope gives people the strength and courage to live a strong, healthy life. In fact, Dean Koontz affirmed that “even in the darkest moments, light exists if you have faith to see it.”
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