Published on 25/01/2024

A Global Battle Against Epilepsy

You must have come across the term epilepsy at some point in your life. It is either someone you know who has it or you may have heard about epilepsy from a friend, relative, or even your doctor.

Even though the term is familiar, we cannot even begin to grasp what it is like to live with epilepsy. Let us find out how it has become a global challenge for us to overcome.

We will let the numbers tell you how severe the situation with Epilepsy is. According to the report presented by WHO, the prevalence of epilepsy has become stronger than ever before.

Around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it the Fourth most common neurological disease worldwide.
Almost 80% of people with epilepsy live in low and middle-income circles.
Approximately, up to 70% of people living with epilepsy could live seizure-free if properly diagnosed and treated.
The chance of premature death in people with epilepsy is up to three times higher than in the general population.
Three-quarters of people with epilepsy living in low-income countries do not get the chance to receive proper treatment
In many countries, people with epilepsy and their families are often shamed and dishonored.

How did We Get Here?

We are living in a world where about 50 million people are suffering from the seizure disorder epilepsy. About 3.4 million persons with epilepsy are there in the United States. From children to adults to the elderly- this disorder can affect anyone at any time. But how did we get here? What did we miss?

WHO reveals that lack of awareness and understanding about epilepsy and its seizures are causing more people to suffer from it. With adequate treatment and timely diagnosis, 70 percent of people would be able to live a seizure-free life within 2 years. The entire scenario of epilepsy in the US is because of the misdiagnosis of the disorder. Many across the world do not understand this disorder at all. The paucity of information, knowledge, and baseless fear have made us stand here.

As we look forward and dream of a better and healthier future, we must stand in solidarity and take action. One of the best ways to contribute is by understanding the disorder, recognizing its symptoms and causes, and knowing what to do when you see someone having an attack.

Let’s start by understanding epilepsy and seizures and the overall scenario across the world.

Understanding Epilepsy

To create a community that stands together and fights against epilepsy, we must have proper knowledge about it. Let's delve deeply into everything you need to know about this neurological disorder.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder in which patients suffer from recurrent seizures. Seizures are brief disturbances of electrical activity in the brain. When the neurons fire too fast, they cannot send the right messages to the brain. And the entire system collapses in the brain.

This leads you to have uncontrollable body movements, a spell of blank stares, daydreaming, and many more complicated symptoms.

At this point, it is crucial to remember that not all seizures are epilepsy. When you have frequent, multiple, and unprovoked seizures, chances are you have epilepsy.

Signs and Symptoms of Epilepsy

Signs and symptoms of epilepsy depend on the affected part of the brain. Some fundamental signs of epilepsy are:

Blank Staring spells
Jerking movements of the arms and legs.
Stiffening of the body.
Loss of consciousness.
Cognitive impairment in some cases

These symptoms are usually temporary and are no longer present after the episode is over.

Along with physical symptoms, there are many psychological issues faced by epilepsy patients. They often live in fear because of their condition. They often isolate themselves and suffer from depression. In many parts of the world, people suffering from seizures are stigmatized and even backed into a dark corner of society.

The implications of having people suffering from epilepsy have a three times greater chance of dying before their time than the general population, with rural and low-income regions having the highest rates of premature mortality.

The most fatal result of epileptic seizures is sudden death. This is also known as SUDEP or Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), SUDEP specifically refers to deaths in people with epilepsy that are not from injury, drowning, or other known causes. Most, but not all, cases of SUDEP happen during or right after a seizure

A great number of the causes of death related to epilepsy occur in low- and middle-income countries where there is little access to treatment, and a lack of knowledge prevails.

What are the Causes of Epilepsy?

The causes of epilepsy remain unknown to date. Some causes include:

Stroke.
Brain tumor.
Traumatic brain injury or head injury.
Central nervous system infection.
Genetic abnormalities,
Prior brain infection,
Prenatal injuries or
Developmental disorders

Are All Seizures Epilepsy?

This is perhaps the biggest myth surrounding epilepsy and seizures. One of the main reasons for seizures being misdiagnosed is many ignore and misunderstand the underlying reasons behind a seizure. Whereas the main criteria for epileptic seizures are spontaneous, unprovoked seizures, non-epileptic seizures are provoked or triggered by certain causes.

Hence, not all seizures are caused by epilepsy. Some reasons for non-epileptic seizures may be :

Bacterial Infections like Meningitis.
Genetic reason
Metabolism
Psychogenic reason
Brain Tumor
Alcohol withdrawal

Epilepsy Test

If your doctor believes your symptoms could be related to epilepsy, they might request an electroencephalogram or EEG. Thanks to its ability to record brain electrical activity, this instrument is the most specific test available for epilepsy diagnosis. Some other tests for epilepsy are computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Epilepsy Treatment Gap: A Rising Concern

WHO has always considered epilepsy as a serious public health concern. Though the stats give you some idea about the overall global scenario of epilepsy, the reality portrays a far more complicated picture. This is where the context of the treatment gap comes in. In various parts of the world, there is a wide overcast of ignorance. It is often misdiagnosed. Other times, patients do not get access to the necessary medical treatment to overcome this condition.

The WHO Initiative

WHO's Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) on epilepsy and other neurological disorders, has laid out the steps that must be taken to provide individuals with neurological diseases with better access to care and treatment through an all-encompassing, sector-wide coordinated approach. Another crucial purpose of this action plan is to raise awareness so that people with epilepsy and other neurological disorders can receive the necessary support from people around them.

Treatment of Epilepsy with Gabapentin

When it comes to treating partial and clonic-tonic seizures, doctors often prescribe Gabapentin. You can buy Gabapentin online in the USA from any reputed digital pharmacy. Gabapentin, along with other medications

Should I buy Gabapentin online for seizures?

Gabapentin is a medication that mimics the role of Gaba chemical in the brain. Just like GABA, Gabapentin alleviates the effects of excessive electrical discharge and soothes the overactive cells. This is how it stops the convulsions before they can even begin. It usually takes about 1 week for gabapentin to kick in. However, you might need nearly a month to experience the best effects of this medication.

FAQ

1. What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder that affects the nervous system. This disorder causes you to have recurrent, unprovoked seizures. You also might experience blank staring spells and hallucination memory loss.

2. What is a seizure?

A seizure is an abnormal electrical activity. During a seizure, the neurons fire too rapidly and the brain fails to give signals leading the bodily malfunction. These convulsions are uncontrolled body movements which might lead to physical injuries too.

3. How long do seizures usually last?

Seizures may last 30 seconds to two minutes. If it lasts more than 5 minutes, it is a medical emergency and you should immediately call for help. This type of seizure can take place after a traumatic head injury.

4. What are the major types of seizures?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seizures can divided into Generalized and Foacal seizures. These seizures are categorized further following segments.

Generalized seizures
Absence seizures,
Tonic-clonic seizures
Focal seizures
Simple focal seizures
Complex focal seizures
Complex focal seizures

5. Are all seizures result of Epilepsy?

Seizures do not necessarily mean that you have epilepsy. Epileptic seizures have to be multiple in number and unprovoked. An EEG test will be able to tell you whether you have epilepsy.

6. What causes epilepsy?

The causes of epilepsy are still unknown. About 70 percent of patients who suffer from epilepsy do not have a clear reason as to why this epilepsy.

7. Is epilepsy common?

Epilepsy fourth most common disorder in the world. Almost 50 million people are diagnosed with active epilepsy. So you have it, you are not alone. With timely medical help and medication, you can manage your condition.

8. Can I catch epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a noncommunicable chronic neurological disorder. It does not spread by contact or any other way.