The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Too many misconceptions about epilepsy, says expert

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Sunday, Nov 18, 2007
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Karnataka - Bangalore

Too many misconceptions about epilepsy, says expert

Staff Reporter

‘The myths are prevalent not only in India, but also in developed countries’

BANGALORE: There are too may misconceptions about epilepsy and the person having fits is subject to unnecessary interventions like having the mouth forced open to place a metal spoon or having a key thrust into his hand, H.V. Srinivas, consulting neurologist and secretary of Indian Epilepsy Association, said here on Saturday.

“All you have to do is to lay him down to the floor. He will get back to normal … he is a normal person between two attacks,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion of the National Epilepsy Day at an event organised by the association’s Bangalore Chapter here at MES College on Saturday, Dr. Srinivas said epilepsy was caused by abnormal electric impulses in groups of nerve cells (neurons) found in the brain.

The triggers could be anything, from light to hot water to high fever. “The attack stops on its own. As you cannot sustain the speed in a sprint, the nerves too relax after the discharge.” Those keys and spoons will not only not bring relief, but could also cause external injuries. Nobody dies of epilepsy, he added.

Other misconceptions include the sufferers being considered unfit for marriage, preventing them from eating bananas and watching television, and assuming young sufferers cannot study as the attacks damage the brain. “The myths are not only here but also in developed countries such as the U.S. Some of them are perpetuated by doctors even.”

It will take a long time to wipe out this disorder which has been around since time immemorial, Dr. Srinivas said.

The International League Against Epilepsy and the Indian Epilepsy Association have been involved in activities to dispel such myths.

Dr. Srinivas said the association was successful in bringing in amendments to the Hindu Marriage Act in 1999 and removing epilepsy as one of the causes for seeking divorce. The association had also asked the Surface Transport Ministry to remove the clause to deny driving licence to persons afflicted by epilepsy.

“In the U.S., licence is given for personal driving to those who have been on medication for over a year,” he said.

Dr. Srinivas said 80 per cent of cases of epilepsy are cured by taking medicines regularly for three years and having a minimum of six hours of sleep a day.

“Do not miss taking the tablet. Any attack after such stoppage only extends the treatment period by three more years,” he said.

Earlier, the Legislative Council Chairman B. K. Chandrashekar asked the association to use the media to create awareness about epilepsy.

The students of MES College and Kalagangotri cultural troupe together presented a skit on epilepsy.

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