Break the epilepsy stigma

Though approximately 50 million people worldwide live with epilepsy, a type of neurological disorder that causes seizures, it's tragic that many epileptics still battle stigma in their communities.

National Epilepsy Week (21 to 27 June 2017), Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) is seeking to raise awareness about this relatively common medical condition.

What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and nervous system. There are many different types of epilepsy, some of which are more easily managed through prescribed medicine than others.

There are also different kinds of epileptic seizures, ranging from short, almost unnoticeable episodes to longer seizures that are characterised by uncontrollable convulsions.

Epilepsy can affect people of any age, and some epileptics live with the knowledge that they could have a seizure at any time

What causes epileptic seizures?
Epileptic seizures are triggered by misfiring electrical impulses in the brain, with the result that the person may lose control of their muscles and be unable to process sensory stimuli.

Seizures may have specific triggers in certain affected individuals. For example, some people may experience seizures if they are exposed to flashing lights, or after drinking alcohol, or getting insufficient sleep, or during times of stress, among others.

However, not all people who experience seizures are necessarily epileptic, as seizures may be caused by other conditions.

Different types of seizures
Seizures can take many different forms and can affect people in different ways. Some seizures are mild and barely noticeable, as the person may freeze or lose sensory awareness for a few seconds, without even realising that they have had a seizure.
In other more pronounced seizures, the individual may lose consciousness. Their body may become rigid and they may make uncontrolled jerking or convulsive movements. Sometimes their eyes will roll back during the seizure.

In a small minority of cases, epilepsy may be accompanied by seizures that are so frequent and severe that the condition can have a major impact on the person's life. Fortunately, such cases are relatively uncommon and in most cases epilepsy can be managed and controlled with prescribed anticonvulsant medicines or other medical treatments.

What epilepsy is not
Epilepsy must not be confused with mental illness, and epileptics should not be treated differently to other people. Epilepsy is not contagious.

What to do when someone has a seizure
While it may seem frightening to see someone experiencing a seizure, there is nothing to fear and there are some guidelines you can follow to help someone get through a seizure safely.

• Stay calm
• Do not try to restrain the person during the seizure
• Move away any objects that might get in the way of the person while they are convulsing. If possible, place a cushion under their head
• Call emergency services
• Do not put anything in the person's mouth, as this can cause injury
• Once the seizure has stopped, position the person on their side (the recovery position) and tilt their head to one side so that any fluid can easily drain from their mouth. Check to see if they are breathing normally
• Do not give the person liquids, medication or food until they are fully alert
• Stay with the person until he or she recovers, which should be within five to 20 minutes