November 17 is national epilepsy day. It’s a big need for all of us to raise awareness across the world to break the stigma around the disease. In the last 3 decades we have seen significant advances in treatment of epilepsy. Many good medications have come up with less side effects. For drug resistant epilepsy several surgical procedures are there. They are very successful with less morbidity. Now there is a high chance that if someone is treated adequately he or she will be epilepsy free one day. In short it’s possible to defeat epilepsy.
How to defeat epilepsy?
Proper diagnosis
Several types of seizures come under the umbrella of epilepsy. That’s why diagnosis of type of epilepsy is a most necessary thing. Visit a good neurologist with experience of epilepsy treatment. The diagnosis will lead to best treatment. As it’s a long treatment, proper diagnosis and proper medication leads to complete recovery.
Medicine with adequate dose
There are many medications for epilepsy therapy. Old drugs possess multiple complications. But the drugs of recent times are much efficacious with limited complications. They have less effect on other organs. Every medicine works when given in an adequate dose. Consult with your doctor for an adequate dose. Some people decrease the dose on their own because the episodes are controlled. Many types of epilepsy can’t be controlled by a single medicine. In this condition other medicines are added with existing medicine.
Don’t stop medicine without consultation
Stopping medicine prematurely is the biggest factor for uncontrolled seizure. Always keep reserve medicine for some days. Don’t stop for a single day without consultation with your doctor. In time of other diseases epilepsy medicine should never be stopped unless asked for by doctors.
Take a good diet
A good diet and regular exercise helps adequate oxygenation to the brain. Take sufficient water. Don’t fast prolong. For resistant epilepsy low carbohydrate food helps a lot. Avoid junk foods and chocolates.
Avoid triggers of epilepsy
Sleep well. A good night sleep helps in avoidance of unnecessary discharge. Try to avoid contact sports. Avoid any head injury. Limit your gadget use. Avoid flashing lights and sounds.
Stay away from unscientific treatments
Refrain from pseudoscience. Epilepsy is an extremely dangerous disease. It can cause sudden death. So believe in treatments backed by research. Many absurd therapies claim to recover epilepsy. But these are impossible things. So don’t stop your medication.
Never stigmatise
There is a huge stigma around epilepsy. It’s not only in developing countries. Even in developed countries stigma is prevalent. Please refrain from it. It’s a very common neurological disease.
Epilepsy is a common disease. Don’t think that it’s impossible to defeat it. 70-80% of patients will recover in adequate treatment.
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