The epilepsies are a spectrum of brain disorders ranging from severe, life-threatening and disabling, to ones that are much more benign. This is caused by anything that may destruct or that may alter normal brain functioning. Epilepsy may develop because of an abnormality in brain wiring, an imbalance of nerve signaling chemicals i.e. neurotransmitters, changes in important features of brain cells, or some combination of these and other factors. However, it is worth noting that seizures as a result of high fever i.e. febrille seizure is not epilepsy. Seizures happen when clusters of nerve cells in the brain signal abnormally, which may briefly alter a person's consciousness, movements or actions. though not mostly spoken of, it is important to note that epilepsy affects approximately 65million people worldwide.
Having this condition does not necessarily translate to immobility or inability of the affected individual. Epilepsy can be treated though it the duration and type of treatment varies from individual to another. Depending with the type of seizure and the rate of occurrence, epileptics can either be subjected to medication of surgery. However, important to note is that Epilepsy surgery is an option for people with focal seizures that remain resistant to treatment. Though, anti-convulsants may still be needed however much the surgery targets to control the problem completely.
However, society has come up with a series of myths and misconceptions that have no physiological, anatomical nor pathological justification when considering epileptic cases. Myths such a:
You can swallow your tongue during a seizure.
You should restrain someone having a seizure.
Epilepsy is contagious
People with epilepsy are disabled and can't work
You should force something into the mouth of someone having a seizure
Epilepsy is rare and there aren't many people who have it
You can't die from epilepsy.
People with epilepsy are physically limited in what they can do e.t.c. are all assumptions and barbaric assertions that lack or rather have no any evidential link with the pathophysiology of Epilepsy. Most of them are contradictory of the the reality when it comes to epileptic patients.
Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder after migraine, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. Its prevalence is greater than autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease combined. But the society has neglected it for long and believed in nonfactual information that has from time to time stagnated the progress in controlling this disease from the face of earth.
Although there exist a number of drugs, their side effects have to be given a consideration before use. Hence the necessity for a prescription from a qualified medical personnel.
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