Anyone could experience an epileptic seizure at any time in their lifetime. The Pioneer’s Shikha Duggal spoke to some medical professionals who have offered insightful information regarding the many kinds of epileptic episodes.
Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh has always demonstrated her strength in her work. The actress has epilepsy, yet it has never interfered with her ability to perform. She has frequently spoken out about having epilepsy and raised awareness of the condition. When asked about how her epilepsy affected her professional goals over two years ago, Fatima replied, “I mean, I have to go a bit slow. However, I am capable of doing anything. Some days are strange and difficult. That makes me move more slowly. And I have never wavered in my desire to give it my all, nor has it ever harmed my passion. In fact, it motivates and encourages me to put forth more effort.”
The actress also added that Bijlee, her companion dog, also serves as her therapy.
This made us realise that anyone could experience one epileptic seizure at any time in their lifetime. This is not the same as epilepsy, which is characterised by a propensity for brain-based seizures. We are appreciative of the medical professionals who have offered insightful information regarding the many kinds of epileptic episodes. Beginning with busting certain beliefs, Dr. V. Naveen Kumar, senior neurologist at Kamineni Hospitals, L.B. Nagar, Hyderabad, shared: “People of all ages, including adults and seniors, are affected by epilepsy, and it can develop at any age. While some cases may start in childhood, others may manifest later in adulthood as a result of a variety of conditions like infection, stroke, or brain damage. While some people with photosensitive epilepsy may experience seizures in response to flashing lights, other causes might cause seizures, such as stress, exhaustion, hormone fluctuations, or forgetting to take medicine. Undoubtedly, other conditions such as a high temperature, aka febrile seizures, metabolic abnormalities, stopping medicines abruptly, or stroke can also cause seizures. In certain cases, environmental cues, such as patterns, can also cause seizures in certain people. It is essential to comprehend these many triggers to appropriately manage epilepsy.”
The notion that seizure appearance is uniform is exacerbated by the media’s portrayal of seizures as violent convulsions! Seizures, however, can take many different forms, including staring fits, fleeting moments of disorientation, or abrupt jerking motions. Actually, a third or so of epileptic seizures are non-convulsive, meaning they don’t manifest as the common convulsions. It is essential to comprehend this variability in order to accurately identify seizures and respond appropriately in a variety of settings.
There are two types of seizures: generalised seizures and focal seizures. Whereas generalised seizures impact both hemispheres of the brain, focal seizures originate from a single location. It is essential to comprehend this classification since it informs seizure-type-specific diagnostic and treatment plans. Accurately identifying the features and underlying causes of seizures is essential for effective management. Numerous individualised approaches are used in the treatment of epilepsy. Antiepileptic medications are frequently administered to regulate seizures and normalise brain activity. Surgery to remove the part of the brain that causes seizures may be an option in circumstances where treatment is ineffective. Furthermore, electrical impulses are delivered by vagus nerve stimulation implants to lower the frequency of seizures. A low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet helps some people find relief. Modifications to one’s lifestyle, such as stress management and getting enough sleep, can also be very helpful in the treatment of seizures. “Genetics, brain trauma, anatomical abnormalities, severe brain infections, neurotransmitter imbalances, tumours, strokes, and other conditions may all be causes of epilepsy. Many times, the underlying cause of epilepsy in an individual remains unidentified! Although it can start at any point in life, it usually starts in childhood and may even last into maturity. If medical testing, such as an electrical encephalogram, and antiepileptic pharmaceutical treatment are not initiated promptly, it may result in serious consequences,” shared Dr. Isha Soni, a senior occupational therapist at Lexicon Rainbow Therapy and Child Development Centre!
Dr. Isha continued, “If we talk of children with recurrent seizures, they frequently exhibit global development delays, which include delays in speech, gross motor, cognitive, and social milestones. However, many people lead satisfying lives in terms of their education, employment, productivity, and family life if early medical and therapy intervention is sought out on time. Occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, and remedial education make up the core of therapies. Certain alternative therapies, such as adhering to an Atkins or ketogenic diet, have also shown promise for certain patients.” She continues to enlighten our readers by using a case study that describes how a neurologist sent a 3-year-old boy for therapy due to a worldwide developmental delay that was identified as Infantile Spasm Syndrome. Despite taking medicine, the child frequently experienced seizures once a week. His seizures finally decreased to once a month after about six months. Following a few therapy sessions, the boy demonstrated remarkable progress. He began to speak in two- and three-word sentences, walked with greater assurance, and had acquired conceptions that were age-appropriate. With this medical and therapeutic care, the child was now getting ready to start his educational adventure in a typical preschool.
The main causes of misunderstandings are cultural attitudes, low understanding, common beliefs, and prevalent myths. Uncontrollably jerky arm, leg, or eye rolling movements are sometimes misinterpreted as an evil spirit possessing the patient’s body! Patients frequently experience social stigma and are shunned by society. Remarkably, even well-educated metropolitan households succumb to witchcraft instead of seeking medical attention since the former promises instant comfort. But under the guise of driving out the evil spirit, it leads to additional abuse of the minor — physical, psychological, and occasionally sexual. Despite how terrible it sounds, there is proof that these behaviours are more common than seeking medical attention because of limited awareness, treatment compliance, frequent check-ups, the price of allopathic medicine, and the associated stigma. Since the public is willing to devour stories about the “unknown,” the media frequently fabricates stories about them.
The actress also added that Bijlee, her companion dog, also serves as her therapy.
This made us realise that anyone could experience one epileptic seizure at any time in their lifetime. This is not the same as epilepsy, which is characterised by a propensity for brain-based seizures. We are appreciative of the medical professionals who have offered insightful information regarding the many kinds of epileptic episodes. Beginning with busting certain beliefs, Dr. V. Naveen Kumar, senior neurologist at Kamineni Hospitals, L.B. Nagar, Hyderabad, shared: “People of all ages, including adults and seniors, are affected by epilepsy, and it can develop at any age. While some cases may start in childhood, others may manifest later in adulthood as a result of a variety of conditions like infection, stroke, or brain damage. While some people with photosensitive epilepsy may experience seizures in response to flashing lights, other causes might cause seizures, such as stress, exhaustion, hormone fluctuations, or forgetting to take medicine. Undoubtedly, other conditions such as a high temperature, aka febrile seizures, metabolic abnormalities, stopping medicines abruptly, or stroke can also cause seizures. In certain cases, environmental cues, such as patterns, can also cause seizures in certain people. It is essential to comprehend these many triggers to appropriately manage epilepsy.”
The notion that seizure appearance is uniform is exacerbated by the media’s portrayal of seizures as violent convulsions! Seizures, however, can take many different forms, including staring fits, fleeting moments of disorientation, or abrupt jerking motions. Actually, a third or so of epileptic seizures are non-convulsive, meaning they don’t manifest as the common convulsions. It is essential to comprehend this variability in order to accurately identify seizures and respond appropriately in a variety of settings.
There are two types of seizures: generalised seizures and focal seizures. Whereas generalised seizures impact both hemispheres of the brain, focal seizures originate from a single location. It is essential to comprehend this classification since it informs seizure-type-specific diagnostic and treatment plans. Accurately identifying the features and underlying causes of seizures is essential for effective management. Numerous individualised approaches are used in the treatment of epilepsy. Antiepileptic medications are frequently administered to regulate seizures and normalise brain activity. Surgery to remove the part of the brain that causes seizures may be an option in circumstances where treatment is ineffective. Furthermore, electrical impulses are delivered by vagus nerve stimulation implants to lower the frequency of seizures. A low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet helps some people find relief. Modifications to one’s lifestyle, such as stress management and getting enough sleep, can also be very helpful in the treatment of seizures. “Genetics, brain trauma, anatomical abnormalities, severe brain infections, neurotransmitter imbalances, tumours, strokes, and other conditions may all be causes of epilepsy. Many times, the underlying cause of epilepsy in an individual remains unidentified! Although it can start at any point in life, it usually starts in childhood and may even last into maturity. If medical testing, such as an electrical encephalogram, and antiepileptic pharmaceutical treatment are not initiated promptly, it may result in serious consequences,” shared Dr. Isha Soni, a senior occupational therapist at Lexicon Rainbow Therapy and Child Development Centre!
Dr. Isha continued, “If we talk of children with recurrent seizures, they frequently exhibit global development delays, which include delays in speech, gross motor, cognitive, and social milestones. However, many people lead satisfying lives in terms of their education, employment, productivity, and family life if early medical and therapy intervention is sought out on time. Occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, and remedial education make up the core of therapies. Certain alternative therapies, such as adhering to an Atkins or ketogenic diet, have also shown promise for certain patients.” She continues to enlighten our readers by using a case study that describes how a neurologist sent a 3-year-old boy for therapy due to a worldwide developmental delay that was identified as Infantile Spasm Syndrome. Despite taking medicine, the child frequently experienced seizures once a week. His seizures finally decreased to once a month after about six months. Following a few therapy sessions, the boy demonstrated remarkable progress. He began to speak in two- and three-word sentences, walked with greater assurance, and had acquired conceptions that were age-appropriate. With this medical and therapeutic care, the child was now getting ready to start his educational adventure in a typical preschool.
The main causes of misunderstandings are cultural attitudes, low understanding, common beliefs, and prevalent myths. Uncontrollably jerky arm, leg, or eye rolling movements are sometimes misinterpreted as an evil spirit possessing the patient’s body! Patients frequently experience social stigma and are shunned by society. Remarkably, even well-educated metropolitan households succumb to witchcraft instead of seeking medical attention since the former promises instant comfort. But under the guise of driving out the evil spirit, it leads to additional abuse of the minor — physical, psychological, and occasionally sexual. Despite how terrible it sounds, there is proof that these behaviours are more common than seeking medical attention because of limited awareness, treatment compliance, frequent check-ups, the price of allopathic medicine, and the associated stigma. Since the public is willing to devour stories about the “unknown,” the media frequently fabricates stories about them.
Let us debunk some common myths associated with epilepsy:
Epilepsy is a mental illness: Epilepsy is not a mental illness but a neurological disorder caused by uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. It doesn’t necessarily mean an intellectual disability.
Epilepsy is contagious: Epilepsy is not contagious. It doesn’t spread through touch, nasal inhalation, or staying near the person. Often, parents refuse their own children to play with a child having seizures because of this myth or because they find the child ‘different’.
All seizures are the same. All seizures are not the same. They are different in terms of the brain areas involved and in terms of intensity and manifestation. Some have simple staring spells, some have tonic-clonic movement of their limbs, and some lose their consciousness. So, the family or caregivers of the individual with a seizure must describe the seizure in detail for further action.
Seizures are always dangerous: Not every episode of seizure is dangerous, requiring emergency medical intervention. Some episodes are self-limiting, and just providing first aid during a seizure and turning to their side would help the individual.
Seizures are paranormal activity: This myth is still prevalent in many cultures and rural areas, where it is considered a paranormal activity encouraging quack treatments. This causes more damage than good and, at times, may prove fatal as well.
You should restrain someone from having a seizure: Never do this, as seizures are involuntary movements and an external restraining force may cause muscle or bone injuries.
All seizures are epilepsy: Just having one single seizure doesn’t mean one has an epileptic disorder. A single episode of a seizure may happen due to a very high fever, a head injury, or low blood sugar. If seizures don’t reoccur, it isn’t considered to be epilepsy.
