WHAT IS EPILEPSY AND HOW SHOULD I HANDLE THE CONDITION?
November is epilepsy awareness month. Most of us however
know very little about epilepsy, thus making it very hard to support those
living with the condition. Traditionally in the African culture, it was
believed that the condition, just like many others, was a result of a curse or
witchcraft. This would more often than not result in the persons living with
epilepsy being alienated by the community, thus not getting the help and
support they needed.
So, what is epilepsy? Epilepsy also referred to as Kifafa
in Kenya is a disorder characterized by the tendency to have recurring
seizures. A seizure is the response
to an abnormal electrical discharge in the brain. The term seizure describes
various experiences and behaviors and is different from convulsions, though the terms are often used synonymously. Anything
that irritates the brain can produce a seizure. Common causes of seizures
include; high fever, brain infections, metabolic disturbances, insufficient
oxygen supply to the brain, destruction of brain tissue, other illnesses like
eclampsia and lupus erythematosus, exposure to toxic drugs or substances,
withdrawal after heavy use of drugs or adverse reaction to prescription drugs.
According to research, approximately two thirds of people
who experience a seizure don’t get another. The other third however go on to
experience recurring seizures, a condition referred to as epilepsy. What happens to a person during a seizure depends on the
part of the brain affected by the abnormal electrical discharge. The discharge
may affect only a small part of the brain resulting in the person noticing an
odd smell or taste, or a large area, leading to a convulsion. Convulsions refer to jerking and spasms
of muscles throughout the body. The person may also have brief attacks of altered
consciousness. A person who loses consciousness, has muscle spasms that shake
the body, loses bladder control, or suddenly becomes confused and inattentive
may be having a seizure.
One tip to sense an oncoming seizure attack is the fact that
they are often preceded by auras; unusual sensations of smell, taste or even a
gut feeling that you’re about to have a seizure. A seizure usually lasts 2-5 minutes and could
be followed by a headache, sore muscles, unusual sensations, confusion and
fatigue.
The cause of seizures is usually determined by medical tests
like electroencephalogram (EEG) which reveal any unusual brain activity or
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which reveals scarring in small areas of the
brain. In some cases the defects might be microscopic scars resulting from
brain injury at birth or later. A few types of seizure disorders e.g. juvenile myoclonic epilepsy are inherited. If seizures are being caused
by treatable medical conditions like tumors, an infection, abnormal blood sugar
or abnormal sodium levels in the blood, treating the condition will result in
the ceasing of the seizures. In the remaining number of people with epilepsy,
the disease is labeled idiopathic, meaning
that there’s no evidence of damage found in the brain, therefore the cause is
unknown.
No research
has so far positively assured that epilepsy can be completely cured, but the
occurrence of seizures can be controlled through medication; hence epileptic
people can live ‘normal’ fulfilling lives and achieve goals and visions for
themselves and their families.
Antiseizure
drugs are very effective but just like most other drugs, they do have side
effects. Most cause drowsiness and hyperactivity when given to children. People
taking antiseizure drugs should be aware of possible side effects and should
consult their doctor at the very first sign of them.
One of the
major challenges I’ve experienced so far working in the health sector in Kenya
and being served by medics and paramedics is the fact that they for some reason
believe the patient doesn’t need to know much about their condition or their
health status. This is an unfortunate mentality that most of us have condoned
for so long and it literally annoys the heck out of me. The routine of the
larger population is going to the hospital, not questioning the qualifications
of whomever it is they find in a white dust coat because the coat somehow
signifies that they’re a ‘daktari’; tell them our symptoms, they send us to the
lab (in most cases) to test for malaria; we take back the tests, after which
they scribble down some drugs; we gladly take the prescription, thank them and
leave, not asking what the problem was in the first place or if we’ve been sick
for a while, how we’re fairing.
Apart from
the drugs side effects, antiseizure drugs, again just like most other drugs
react with other drugs, what is referred to as drug-drug interaction, and also
interact with nutrients, drug-nutrient interaction. This in simple terms means that if you take
other medicine while taking the antiseizure drugs, they could lessen the
effects of the drugs hence exposing you to more seizure attacks.
Another very
important thing to note if you’re taking antiseizure drugs or any other drugs
for that matter, is you need to keep off alcohol. Alcohol can not only lessen
the effect of drugs, but also exaggerate the side effects.
Family
members and friends of epileptic people need to be trained on what to do during
seizures. There’s a common belief that the person experiencing a seizure need
to be protected from biting the tongue, but such efforts can do more harm than
good. The most important step is to protect the person from a fall, loosen
clothing around the neck, and place a pillow under the head. If the person has
lost consciousness, they need to be put in the recovery position. Roll them
onto one side so as to ease breathing. The person shouldn’t be left alone until
he or she is fully awake and can move about ‘normally’.
The most
important thing to do though if you’re living with any medical condition that
could put you in danger is to always have identification materials that specify
the condition and the contact details of at least two family members and your
doctor.
Finally,
work closely with your doctor and nutritionist to ensure you not only attain
good health, but also maintain it. Most people don’t realize that proper nutrition
can not only help you achieve good health, but also prevent numerous diseases.
And yes, you can and will live a long fulfilling life with epilepsy. Spread the
word!!!
