Epilepsy – A manageable condition, not a curse

Epilepsy has long carried the stigma of being a ‘curse from the Gods’ in many parts of the world. It has largely been a misunderstood condition, with people resorting to all manner of practices to control or prevent episodes. Most of these practices are based on ill founded beliefs, myths and fears.

It is the aim of SRM Global Hospitals Pvt Ltd to alleviate suffering born of sickness through latest treatment practices and dissemination of knowledge. In this blog we will see just what epilepsy is, why it is just a medical condition and not a curse, and how it can be managed to live a full life.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the brain

The very first thing we have to understand is that seizures, the dramatic convulsions, is not the disease, but the symptom of the condition.

When your body receives an electrical shock, you convulse uncontrollably. This is what happens during a seizure, only difference being that the electrical discharge is internal.

The brain is the seat of significant electrical activity which is strictly controlled. If you have epilepsy, then you will experience short bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This release of electrical energy makes your body react and go into seizure, the symptom that says you may have epilepsy.

Convulsion is not the only indication of epilepsy

Though convulsion is the most recognizable symptom, it is not the only type of seizure caused by epilepsy. Types of seizures can include:

Temporary confusion
Unblinking staring spells
Unresponsive stiffness of muscles
Loss of consciousness
Loss of awareness
Psychological symptoms

Type of seizures depend on the type of epilepsy and will vary from person to person, but a person will only have one type of seizure every episode.

Epilepsy may have a definite cause or there may be no identifiable cause

In about 10% of the people with epilepsy, there may be no known cause, but the rest may have some contributing factor. Some of the known causes of epilepsy are genetic tendency or family history of epilepsy, brain abnormalities, head injury, congenital brain damage, brain infections and developmental disorders such as autism. The risk of epilepsy increases if you have stroke or vascular disease or dementia.

So, it is clear that seizures are just a medical condition with a known cause, mostly epilepsy. It is also important to note that all seizures are not caused by epilepsy. Seizures can also occur due various other conditions. What is important is that you get a proper medical diagnosis if you are having seizure episodes.

Epilepsy may appear scary, but it can be managed with the right treatment

Just as there are many types of seizures, there are many types of epilepsy as well. Today treatment is available for all types epilepsy, but there is no ‘one method fits all’ treatment for epilepsy. So, we offer customized treatment plans to suit your individual requirement. Our first step is to diagnose the type of epilepsy that you have. Accurate diagnosis helps us plan your treatment.

There are numerous epilepsy medicines available today. You may need just one medicine or a combination of medicines to manage your seizures and their frequency. Just remember, while there are medicines to keep epilepsy under control, it may take a few attempts to find the perfect match for you. Once we identify the best suited medication and its dosage correctly, you will be able to live your life as you please with near complete elimination of seizures.

In addition to regular medicines, there are also fast acting emergency medications called ‘rescue medications’ that can be used in emergency situations to stop a seizure.

If you have epilepsy, don’t worry. It is not the end of your freedom. The experienced team of neurologists at SRM Global Hospitals Pvt Ltd will work with you to develop the best treatment plan to manage epilepsy. With your active involvement in tracking symptoms, changes and response to medications, we can identify the treatment option that suits you best and get you back on the road to normal life.

So, don’t give up just because you have epilepsy. Consult our expert neurologists for the best treatment. It’s time we reclaimed your life.

Epilepsy – A manageable condition, not a curse