In order to raise epilepsy to a new level of acceptance in the public sphere, promote professional education about epilepsy, identify the needs of people with epilepsy at the national and regional levels, and encourage the government and the Department of Defense to work together, the Presidential Proclamation 230 on August 24, 2002, declared the first week of September each year to be "National Epilepsy Week."
Epilepsy is a brain illness characterized by recurrent seizures. A seizure is typically described as an abrupt shift in behavior brought on by a transient disruption in the electrical activity of the brain. The brain typically continuously produces minute electrical impulses that follow a predictable pattern. Chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters carry these signals along neurons, the network of nerve cells in the brain, and throughout the entire body. Knowing how to respond when a seizure happens to minimize harm to the person having the seizure as well as those nearby is a fantastic way to start helping those who are experiencing it. Additionally, you might consider advocating for increased funding for epilepsy patients so they can receive the proper care and treatment.
Epilepsy cannot be spread. Though various underlying diseases can cause epilepsy, in roughly 50% of cases around the world the disease's origin is still unknown. The following subcategories of causes of epilepsy exist: structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immunological, and unknown.
For persons of various ages, epilepsy can start from a variety of causes. However, regardless of age, it is known that for roughly 50% of all epilepsy sufferers, the reason is unknown. Children who develop epilepsy may be born with a brain structural defect, sustain a head injury, or contract an infection. Young adults are most frequently reported to suffer from severe brain injuries. Strokes, cancers, and injuries are more common triggers among middle-aged people. The most frequently recognized cause of stroke in adults 65 and older is followed by degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. Seizures frequently don't start right away after a person suffers brain damage.
Treatment
Surgery, nutrition therapy, and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are all options for treating epilepsy. The first line of treatment for almost all people with multiple seizures is medication. Some patients may not require medication if they only experience one seizure and their testing does not show a significant chance of seizure recurrence.
Prevention
The best strategy to stop post-traumatic epilepsy is to prevent head injuries. Proper prenatal care can lower the number of new instances of epilepsy brought on by birth trauma. The risk of febrile seizures can be decreased by using medications and other techniques to lower a sick child's body temperature.
The reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, such as actions to prevent or control high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, as well as abstaining from cigarettes and excessive alcohol consumption, is the main goal of the prevention of epilepsy linked with stroke.
Epilepsy is frequently brought on by central nervous system illnesses in tropical regions, which are primarily inhabited by low- and middle-income nations.
Overall, epilepsy is a condition that affects more individuals than you might realize, and by being aware of the early warning symptoms and what to do in the event of a seizure, you can greatly assist those who are suffering from the chronic illness.
PDO I Kimberly Tanador, RND
References:
Epilepsy
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/epilepsy
https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Epilepsy
Proclamation No. 230
https://www.ncda.gov.ph/disability-laws/proclamations/proclamation-no-230/
