Surrounded with myths: Epilepsy not a curse, curable with medication, experts say

Rural population has highest number of epileptic patients with children forming a majority.

LAHORE: Epilepsy patients face dual hardship; not only they suffer from the disease but are also exposed to the myths and misconceptions attached to it. However, epilepsy is neither ‘mysterious’ nor incurable, and it can be successfully treated by regular use of medicines available in the market.

According to the World Health Organisation, around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, a neurological condition that results in recurring seizures.

When the brain experiences a brief and temporary disturbance of electric activity, too many nerve cells being fired simultaneously in an uncoordinated manner, it scrambles one’s thoughts, feelings and movement.

And once a patient has a seizure, the childhood seizures with fever and a family history of epilepsy are the two most important predictors for developing epilepsy. Some people have episodes that may resemble a seizure, but after further investigation are found not to be epileptic in origin.

These seizure-like behaviours are mostly emotionally generated. However, not all forms of epilepsy are lifelong conditions with some being confined only to childhood.

While expressing views, Lahore General Hospital Assistant Professor of Neurology Dr Shahid Mukhtar said, “Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that stays for long but in 70% cases, there is a chance of complete recovery, which can easily be managed with the help of right medication and doctor's advice.”

He added, “The disease is common in Pakistan and approximately 2.0 million people are suffering from it.” He said all government hospitals have medical facilities regarding diagnosis and cure of epilepsy.

He pointed out due to illiteracy awareness level about epilepsy is very low in Pakistan. In rural areas, most of the people approach ‘pirs’ for treatment of epilepsy.

Dr Mukhtar maintained a large number of people also consider this ailment the action of ghosts and do not go to doctors. He said, “Epilepsy is a curable disease and a neuro-physician or qualified doctor could be approached to get rid of this ailment.”

He suggested the treatment of epilepsy was a long-term process and patients should not stop taking medicines without consulting their doctors.

However, there is so much that is still not known about seizures but a diagnosis can at least establish whether one has epilepsy or not. This requires thorough history-taking, complete physical examination, blood work, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and electro-encephalograms (EEG). The diagnosis must be clinical to find any anatomical or other pathological processes that may be causing the seizure.

In a study titled “Epidemiology of Epilepsy in Pakistan” published in the 2003 Journal of Pakistani Medical Association, researchers found that the country’s rural population has almost double the number of epileptic patients with children forming a majority. Unfortunately, less than one in four receive any treatment.

Once the diagnosis is established, patients need to be put on medications to control the next possible seizure. Compliance with medication is extremely important as surgery is reserved for treatment-resistant cases despite its success rate.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2017.