Epilepsy is one of the most misunderstood diseases. This sickness has been depicted in the most cliched way possible on television and in other forms of media: a person falling to the ground, losing consciousness, and trembling uncontrollably. This is not inaccurate, however, epilepsy covers much more than just one type of seizure. This is why there are so many misunderstandings regarding epilepsy. In this post, we’ll look at the most frequent epilepsy myths and debunk them one by one. But first, let us learn about epilepsy and the differences between epilepsy and seizures, as explained by Dr. Rohit Gupta, the best Epilepsy Doctor in Faridabad.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological condition in which a person has unprovoked seizures that are caused by a rapid, sporadic, and severe electrical release of brain cells in the brain. Severe seizures are caused by a sudden surge of electrical signals in the brain, which can disrupt normal brain function.
According to a WHO report, at least 50 million individuals worldwide suffer from epilepsy. Another disturbing figure is that the majority of epilepsy sufferers, at least 80% of the 50 million, live in middle- and low-income nations. You might be asking why this is such a concerning reality. In such nations, epilepsy is less well-known, and old beliefs about the condition are more common.
People with epilepsy suffer a mental strain as a result of this, and research suggests that this has a negative impact on their quality of life.
“It has been documented that psychological discomfort has a major influence on the quality of life of people with epilepsy.”
People with epilepsy are subjected to a variety of social misunderstandings, which has resulted in an excessive amount of psychological stress among epilepsy sufferers, which can lead to further injury and serious health problems.
Difference between Seizure and Epilepsy
The frequency of occurrences is the key distinction between a seizure and epilepsy. In the case of a seizure, the event occurs just once or on a very uncommon basis. In epilepsy, however, there will be numerous such electrical discharges in the brain. A single seizure is not evidence of epilepsy because a seizure might be triggered by brain damage or a stroke.
Epilepsy Facts and Myths
1- MYTH:Epilepsy, a brain injury, or a stroke that causes a seizure indicates that a person has been possessed by an evil spirit.
FACT: This is an old myth that has caused a lot of harm. Epilepsy is a neurological condition that needs medical treatment rather than an exorcism. Epileptologists, neurologists, and pediatricians must all treat this disorder.
2- MYTH: Epilepsy is a contagious disease.
FACT: Epilepsy is not communicable or contagious. This is, in reality, one of the oldest epileptic misconceptions. Epilepsy has a variety of causes, but it cannot be passed on from one person to the next.
3- MYTH: A fall is the only cause of epilepsy.
FACT: Epilepsy can be caused by a variety of factors. The following are some of the reasons:
- Prenatal or postnatal brain damage is possible.
- The origin of brain malformation may be traced back to heredity.
- There were many brain injuries.
- Stroke
- Tumors of the brain
- Few genetic syndromes
- Encephalitis and meningitis are brain infections.
4- MYTH: Patients with epilepsy are unhappy, emotionally immature, and insecure.
FACT: This is yet another common misperception concerning epilepsy patients. Yes, dealing with the knowing that they can have an episode at any time can be difficult. This does not, however, imply that they are afraid or unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, many people with epilepsy live happy lives and are emotionally comfortable and stable, according to study.
5- MYTH:Epilepsy is a condition that affects the mind.
FACT: Epilepsy is a medical condition, not a mental illness. Only people with severe epilepsy experience psychological difficulties. Patients with epilepsy, on the other hand, have no mental ailment and go about their everyday lives like any other person.
6- MYTH:Epilepsy attacks are always accompanied by fainting or loss of consciousness, as well as convulsions.
FACT: Not all seizures or episodes end in convulsions or loss of consciousness, according to Dr. Rohit Gupta. Some people may not be aware of these since they may go completely blank for a few seconds or be rambling about fuzzy and disoriented.
7- MYTH:To prevent a person from biting their tongue during a seizure, an item must be placed in their mouth.
FACT: This is extremely harmful since the person’s jaw muscles may be injured, resulting in more injury.
8- MYTH: Directing high-beam lights or a flashlight at a person will cause an epileptic seizure.
FACT:There are examples of photosensitive epilepsy, therefore this isn’t wholly inaccurate. Only around 5% of the epilepsy population suffers from photosensitive epilepsy.
Now that we know more about epilepsy and the myths surrounding it, let us empathise with individuals who suffer from it in order to make the world a better place for them.
Consult the best epilepsy doctor in Faridabad for the best epilepsy treatment. You might recommend Dr. Rohit Gupta to anybody you know who has epilepsy.
