Epilepsy is a health condition misunderstood!
Almost across cultures; there exist various myths, fables and misconceptions about epilepsy, yet, globally, 65 million people live with the condition and of this number, 3.4 million live in the US.
Regardless of the level of development, literacy and economic development, there is widespread misconception about epilepsy and while some attempt to help an individual experiencing seizures, they often don't what to do!
First the misconceptions and fables:
- An individual can swallow their tongue during a seizure episode, so you need to put a spoon or your hand or any other in their mouth to prevent this form happening. The truth is , you can not swallow your tongue. One of the things you can do to care for someone in seizure is make sure their immediate environment is made safer, remove any objects that might cause harm, help them to lie on their side with head slighted tilted to prevent saliva aspiration, and generally watch for 2-5 minutes, about which the seizure activity would normally be complete. If someone familiar with them is around, they can usually let you know the typical duration of the seizure. If there is no resolution usually in 5 minutes, call 911.
- Every individual experiencing seizures will usually show jerky convulsive movements or lapse into unconsciousness. This is another misconception, as there are over 40 types of convulsive disorders, involving different severity of jerky movements, to no jerks at all. While some individuals might be unconscious during an episode, yet others remain conscious , remain inactive/motionless fro the moment but are generally alert. Seizure type familiar to most people is the grandmal epilepsy, involving more pronounced and generalized shaking and jerky bodily movements.1
- Among the commonest myths about epilepsy is that epilepsy is contagious. This misconception sometimes prevent members of the public from stepping forward to help an individual experiencing a seizure. Truth is, epilepsy is not contagious. It is not an infectious disease!. Epilepsy results from an occasional, irregular, and widespread electrical activity in the brain resulting in altered activities on body parts served by the affected brain regions. Head trauma, stroke, and tumors among factors that could precipitate an epileptic response.2
- Some cultures believe that epilepsy is a curse/punishment from the gods! This is far from the truth. See the scientific basis of epilepsy as explained above
- Individuals with epilepsy do not have the mental capacity or intelligence like the rest of the population. This is yet another misconception!. Matter of fact, people are surprised to learn that certain world renowned figures, achieved comparable even sometimes exceptional feats in spite of their condition. Here's a quick sampling of great individuals who excelled in the arts and sciences and political arena, yet had epilepsy;
- Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Russian Literary Giant. Most known for Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov among others
- Alfred Nobel. Ever heard of the Nobel Prize organization in Stokholm?....yes, that is the founder, Alfred Nobel, philantropist, yet lived with epilepsy
- The Great Napoleon Bonaparte, stateman, soldier, Emperor of France, yet lived with epilepsy.
- Van Gogh, painter of renown., noted for such works as The Yellow house, Potato eaters and many more...yet lived with epilepsy.3
Need we say more! It does even seem to appear that un-usual flights of ideas and inspiration might be next cousin to this medical condition. While not all individuals with epilepsy have displayed un-usual prowess and intellectual capacity, for those who have, occasional, sometimes annoying episodes of the seizure experience may be a minor concern, and per Aristotle, causality exists between their condition and the greatness of their lives' works. 4
My opinion!
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