Detect epilepsy early, avoid brain damage

BANGALORE: Twelve-year-old Megha (name changed) used to blink her eyes at intervals and suddenly go blank for a couple of minutes. It is only when her parents and teachers saw that it was repetitive, she was diagnosed with a form of epilepsy.

This complex neurological disorder has several manifestations. At the free epilepsy screening camp organized by The Times of India in collaboration with BGS Global Hospitals on Saturday, around 75 complex cases were consulted. 

The same campaign will be carried forward for one more week from Monday to Saturday next week at the BGS Hospital campus. Patients will be screened for free. Since there are many myths associated with epilepsy, its treatment has been grossly mismanaged in rural areas. In some places, if women have symptoms of epilepsy, they are considered social outcast.

WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?
The causes of epilepsy go back to poor pre-natal care and incidence of brain fever during childhood that leave a part of the brain damaged. Infections of the brain like neurocysticercosis (parasitic infection of the central nervous system), often caused due to the vegetables that are laced with sewage water or toxic chemicals and pesticides, can also be a reason. A head injury that was not treated properly may also show symptoms of epilepsy at a later stage.

MYTHS
People often associate epilepsy with retardation or psychological disorder. They are given iron rods during seizures or people throw water on them. It can turn dangerous with the patient hurting himself with the object. Women try to hide the condition as they are severely discriminated by the family. Early treatment only can control further brain damage.

SYMPTOMS
“Each type of epilepsy is different. Some people have a vague feeling one or two days prior to the seizure that something is going to happen. It is called prodrome, while some others might see flashes of light or have an abnormal sensation of smell or a sinking feeling. This is called ‘aura’. The patient usually knows that something is wrong,” explains Dr N K Venkataramana, vice-chairman and chief neurosurgeon, BGS Global Hospitals.

Sometimes the symptom is as mild as going blank for a couple of minutes which is called absence seizure. One could also suddenly drop on the floor, which is the drop seizure. If you happen to see someone with symptoms like severe jerking, froth coming out of mouth and sudden paralysis, the best thing to do is to remove sharp objects from the vicinity. Observe the sequence of events, help him lie down in a lateral position, according to Venkataramana.