HISTORY OF EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF INDIA :
It is a non-profitable organisation founded in 2009 by Dr Nirmal Surya in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It was created to spread awareness in society and help those suffering from seizures to have medical help. Also, it works to change the view about epilepsy in society.
WHAT IS EPILEPSY?
Epilepsy is not a mental illness but neurological disarray causing sudden seizures and fits. It is a chronic non-communicable brain disease characterized by recurrent seizures, which are brief episodes of involuntary movement of a part of the body or the entire body and are sometimes accompanied by loss of consciousness.
It can happen to people belonging to any age group with each individual having different concerns and symptoms.
Seizure episodes are a result of excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells. Health experts say that a single seizure or fit can not define epilepsy, two or more seizures are required to diagnose it.
Epilepsy is one of the world’s oldest recognized conditions, with written records dating back to 4000 BC.
According to World Health Organisation, it is estimated that around 50 million people suffer from epilepsy around the globe out of which 80% of people are from low and middle-income countries.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF EPILEPSY?
There are different categories among which the causes of epilepsy are divided including structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune and unknown. There can be several other categories but some of the common reasons are :
- brain damage from prenatal or perinatal causes (e.g. a loss of oxygen or trauma during birth, low birth weight);
- congenital abnormalities or genetic conditions with associated brain malformations;
- a severe head injury;
- Prolong fever
- a stroke that restricts the amount of oxygen to the brain;
- an infection of the brain such as meningitis, encephalitis or neurocysticercosis,
- certain genetic syndromes; and
- a brain tumour
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF EPILEPSY?
- Loss of consciousness
- Sudden uncontrollable jerk in body
- Tingling sensation (like pricking pins in legs or arms)
- Stiffness in body
IS EPILEPSY A CURABLE DISEASE?
Epilepsy is a curable disease but should be diagnosed at an early stage.
People suffering from seizures are advised to :
- Consult the doctor
- Note down their symptoms properly
- Take the proper medication with the consultation of a doctor.
- Do not stop the medication if not suffering from seizures without consulting the doctor.
- It is advised not to consume alcohol as it increases the chances of seizures.
EPILEPSY IN INDIA:
According to the data provided by the better India, It is estimated that there may be about 12 million people with epilepsy in India, making it almost one-sixth of the global burden. Around 14 people per 1,000 populations are prone to suffer from epilepsy in India with higher estimates in children and young adults, and in rural areas.
MAJOR TYPES OF EPILEPSY :
Seizures are classified into two different types
- Generalised Seizures:
It can affect both sides of the brain. It is further classified into two types-
- Absence seizures, also called petit mal seizures, can cause rapid blinking or a few seconds of staring into space.
- Tonic-clonic seizures also called grand mal seizures, can make a person cry, sudden spasm or jerk, lose consciousness. The person may feel tired after a tonic-clonic seizure.
- Focal seizures
These happen in just one side of the brain. These seizures are also called partial seizures.
- Simple focal seizures affect a small part of the brain. These seizures can cause twitching or a change in sensation, such as a strange odour.
- Complex focal seizures can make a person confused or dazed. The person will be unable to respond to questions
- Secondarily generalized seizures begin on one side of the brain but then spread to both sides of the brain.
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