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  • Epilepsy
    Epilepsy is a chronic disorder marked by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Many people with epilepsy have more than one type of seizure and may have other symptoms of neurological problems as well. According to WHO, it affects 50 million people worldwide. 75% of the people with epilepsy in low and middle income countries do not get treatment for Epilepsy
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 21 July 2016

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. 

 

Condition

Stories

  • Image: Roshan Orko Roy sitting on a sofa
    I Like It When People Share a Place With Everyone (Video Interview)
    Roshan (Orko) Roy overcame his motor control challenges to become an acclaimed artist with his own unique style. His art enables him to earn a modest living despite a hampered formal education. He also conducts painting workshops for other children. #AutismAwarenessWeek Roshan (Orko) Roy’s achievement has been to overcome his biggest hurdle and make it his strength. He picked up art at a point in time when he could barely hold a pencil. Due to his autistic problems, his motor control was so…
  • Epilepsy Survivor for 4 decades Ignatius Misquitta with his wife and daughters
    Sustaining Employment With My Epilepsy Has Been A Constant Struggle
    Ignatius Misquitta, 56, who has been battling epilepsy attacks for over four decades, looks at how epilepsy shaped his life and humorously recounts how his seizures landed him in a soup many times. And why he wears a bracelet. My first seizure at 12 months was so severe that the doctor declared me dead. Yet, my father gave me mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and pumped my heart, over and over. I have since survived to tell this tale. At first seizures were limited to just 2-3 a year (blank spells…
  • Epilepsy treatment options and other Frequently Asked Questions
    How to Stop Epileptic Seizures?
    And questions on seizures, ketogenic diet, depression answered by Dr Joy Desai, a Consultant Neurologist in Mumbai and on the Committee of the Bombay Chapter of The Indian Epilepsy Association. #AskTheDoctor series 1.  How effective is surgery for epilepsy cure? Surgery is effective in well selected patients. Patients are evaluated for surgery on 3 conditions: Is their epilepsy arising from one spot in the brain? Has testing confirmed this site and will it be possible to intervene and…
  • Rashmi Satam - Mountaineering with Epilepsy
    With My Epilepsy in Control, I go Mountain Climbing
    Rashmi Satam, 30, a passionate mountain climber and adventure sports enthusiast, does not let epilepsy obstruct her daring streak. Narrating her experience, she says it is crucial to control seizures and convulsions to be able to scale the mountains of your dreams. In 2000, when I was in the 7th grade, I got my first epilepsy attack. I was going out for a function, when suddenly I began feeling weak and dizzy and lost consciousness. My body began quivering and I had convulsions for nearly 30 to…
  • Tips for the Special Needs Parent - A Parent Shares
    Janaki Balakrishnan is not just a parent whose son has multiple disabilities, but also a Special educator and an active member of parent support organisations. She shares her observations of parents who are in similar situations and what they should ideally avoid for stress-free caregiving roles I am a parent of a young adult with special needs and live in Chennai. My 22 year old son (only child), is deaf and mute and has multiple issues such as cerebral palsy, seizures, profound mental…
  • Does Sniffing An Onion or a Shoe Stop a Seizure?
    10 Myths and Facts about Epilepsy and Seizures dispelled by leading neurologist Dr Nirmal Surya, who has been working for over two decades to control epilepsy. Dr. Nirmal Surya emphasizes that with timely diagnosis and treatment about two-thirds of people with epilepsy can completely control their seizures. MYTH: Epilepsy is contagious disease and spreads through touching and coughing. FACT:  Epilepsy is a disease of the brain. It occurs due to the abnormal hyperactivity or sudden surge…
  • Orko, My Brother
    AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH They played, they fought, they eat cheese burgers with friends… this may seem like a story of just any household with two boys with an age difference of five years. Except that Orko has epilepsy and is autistic. In a heartwarming account, Rajeev Roy talks about the very special relationship he shares with his younger brother. Pic 1- Rajeev (left) and Orko My brother, Orko, was born. In 5 months he experienced his first seizure. Truth be told, he didn't - we experienced…
  • Empowered families encourage better development in the child
    Tamahar not only tries to develop the children with various activities, it also brings the family, the primary caregivers, into its fold to help them grow and learn with the children. Vaishali Pai is a visionary and an experienced occupational therapist who set up the Tamahar Trust in 2009 to help children with special needs find their own little spaces in this world. She shares how she would like Tamahar to reach out to more children in future. Tell us briefly the thoughts behind forming…
  • Treatment of Epilepsy
    Epilepsy can be treated.  1)   Medication Generally doctors begin the treatment for epilepsy with medication. If the patient is not responding to medications, doctors may advise surgery. Many drugs are available to treat epilepsy and the choice of drug is based on the factors specific to patient. Medications used to treat epilepsy include: Carbamazepine (Tegretol or Carbatrol) Diazepam (Valium) Eslicarbazepine (Aptiom) Felbamate (Felbatol) Ethosuximide (Zarontin) Lacosamide (Vimpat)…
  • Types of Epilepsy
    A doctor may sometimes indicate a type of epilepsy based on whether the cause is known and identified (symptomatic) or cause is known but not identified (cryptogenic) or cause is not known (idiopathic).  The types of seizures are also important in the treatment approach.  What are the types of seizures?  1)    Focal (partial) seizures    They are produced by a relatively small part of the brain. They are of two types Simple partial seizures : characterized by…