Social stigma bigger problem than epilepsy itself: Doctor

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 17

Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana, observed International Epilepsy Day wherein Dr Alok Jain (MD, internal medicine) and Dr Vishnu Gupta (general and neuro surgeon) talked about various aspects and assumptions related to epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition, the hallmark of which is recurrent unprovoked seizures.

Approximately five-10 out of 1,000 people suffer from epilepsy globally. A person is diagnosed with epilepsy if they have at least two seizures that were not caused by some known and reversible medical condition such as alcohol withdrawal or very low blood sugar.

The seizures in epilepsy may be related to a brain injury or a family tendency, but often the cause is completely unknown, said Dr Alok Jain.

“Epilepsy can affect anybody and can occur at any age. Having epilepsy can also affect one’s safety, work, driving, relationships and much more. The social stigma related to epilepsy or how people react to a person with epilepsy is often a bigger problem than the disease itself. Also, there are a lot of common myths attached to epilepsy regarding which spreading awareness is needed in our society,” added Dr Vishnu Gupta.

Persons with PWE

People With Epilepsy (PWE) can join most professions, except for some such as armed forces, pilot, driver of public transport vehicles. Famous artistes, scientists, philosophers and world leaders have suffered from epilepsy. The list includes names like Socrates, Tolstoy, Napolean, Alexander, Beethoven, Newton and Agatha Christie.

Facts about Epilepsy 

Epilepsy is not an infectious disease. Certain cases are due to head injury, stroke, brain infections or tumour. In most cases, no cause can be found. Epilepsy is an inherited condition in only a small percentage of cases, though the children or siblings can have a lower seizure threshold.