Neurological Conditions

What are the signs and symptoms of Epilepsy? Temporary confusion Uncontrollable jerking movements of arms and legs (commonly referred to as seizures) Loss of consciousness Staring spell What are the complications of Epilepsy? Falling: which causes injury to your head or break a bone Drowning : if you have epilepsy you are 15 to 19 times more likely to drown while swimming or bathing than rest of the population Accidents : A seizure that causes either loss of awareness or control can be…

There are some ways of preventing epilepsy if you can prevent some of the causes.   Head trauma Prevent head trauma by riding safely - being careful and avoiding road accidents. Prevent falls among the elderly by following some of these tips on fall prevention. Infectious Diseases Reduce chances of cysticercosis, the most common cause of epilepsy worldwide. Be careful and prevent infectious diseases through good hygeine and safe food cooking practices.  Stroke Stroke is one of…

Epilepsy often needs to be managed for life. While drugs do not cure epilepsy they can help control seizures. Make sure you know whom to consult as you manage the condition. Also know first aid, safety measures and post seizure care First Aid: Move the sizing person away from any obstacles like furniture, electrical outputs etc. Clear the area of any harmful or sharp objects.  Place a blanket or cushions near the person. Place a pillow below their head if possible. Turn the person on their…

What is Epilepsy? Epilepsy is a group of disorders marked by recurrent seizures over a prolonged period of time. The activity of nerve cells in brain becomes disrupted causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations and sometimes loss of consciousness.  People can have different types of seizures and they may have other neurological problems as well.   

What are the risk factors for developing epilepsy? Epilepsy is the 4th most common neurological disorder affecting 1% of population. 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy during their lifetime. It can begin at any age. Men are most commonly affected when compared with women. Risk factors include Premature babies Babies who have seizures in the first month of life Abnormal blood vessels in brain Brain tumors Cerebral palsy Family history of epilepsy or fever related (febrile) seizures. Alzheimer…

Says Shirin Merchant, India’s pioneering canine behaviourist and trainer, while talking about assistance dogs, a relatively new concept in India, where dogs are specially trained to perform a range of tasks to assist individuals with disability. How and when did you become a canine behaviourist and trainer? My journey as a dog trainer and behaviourist started in 1995. What is an assistance dog and what is it trained to do? It is very difficult for an able-bodied person to imagine the…

From popping pills for Parkinson's Disease every 2 hours and dealing with various side effects of these pills, Hari has turned his life around and chose to focus on his passions for travel and spreading awareness on PD. Read on. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2008. Currently after the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, I seem to have recovered almost 95%. Earlier I used to pop pills every two hours. My consumption of medicines has now come down to at the most one per day. What…

Dr. Pettarusp Wadia Consultant Neurologist and Movement Disorder Specialist, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai weighs in on when Deep Brain Stimulation treatment for Parkinson's Disease is a recommended choice and what factors you should consider before making a decision.  Deep Brain Stimulation(DBS) in Parkinson's disease is recommended when  The patient has a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease – fits UKPDS brain bank criteria The patient…

A freak accident turned a bright, bubbling Preethi Srinivasan into a quadriplegic overnight. Her struggle has also been her parents’ struggle, and the positivity she received from them keeps her going. This is her touching tribute to her late father who is still her source of strength and courage.     I'm an only child. I was born nine years after my parents were married, and that too after a great deal of prayer and penance. My father had a very macho, tough-man image, but it was, in…

Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, (MSIF) London is reviewing the current principles, which determine the “Quality of Life” of persons who have MS. As part of the said consultative committee, a feedback as regards the same is being sought from MS persons around the World. MSSI is looking to consolidate the feedback. Join our discussion here.   The Current Principles   1. Independence and Empowerment People with MS are empowered as full participants in their communities and…