Epilepsy: Doctors highlight need for awareness, breaking myths

 Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which a person gets repeated seizures. According to estimates, more than 15 million people are living with epilepsy in India. Even though the number is very high, many people do not go to a doctor on time. Fear, social stigma, and wrong beliefs are the main reasons, especially in small towns and villages.

Doctors say epilepsy has to be treated like any other long-term illness, such as diabetes or blood pressure. With modern treatment, nearly 70 per cent of epilepsy patients can control their seizures by taking regular medicines.

For patients who do not respond to medicines, advanced treatments are also available in India, giving new hope and a better quality of life.

Dr. Madhukar Bhardwaj, Director & HOD - Neurology, Aakash Healthcare, said that a seizure occurs when the brain’s electrical signals stop working normally for a short time. Because of this, a person may shake, fall down, stare blankly, or lose awareness. Some seizures are mild and last only a few seconds, while others can be more serious.
However, he noted that patients are still hesitant to go to the hospital, especially in rural areas as many myths about epilepsy still exist in society. "Some people believe it is caused by ghosts or black magic. Others think it spreads by touch or that people with epilepsy cannot study, work, or get married. Another dangerous belief is that something should be put into the mouth during a seizure. All these beliefs are false and can harm the patient," Dr. Madhukar said.

Dr. Neha Kapoor, Associate Director & Head-Neurology, Asian Hospital said, "The causes of epilepsy are different for different people. In many cases, doctors cannot find an exact cause. However, epilepsy can happen due to family history, head injuries from accidents, brain infections like meningitis, strokes, or brain damage."

She added that in children, epilepsy may be caused by lack of oxygen at birth or problems in brain development before birth. Stress, lack of sleep, and alcohol can trigger seizures but they are not the direct cause of epilepsy.
"Early diagnosis is often difficult because seizures do not always look dramatic. “Not all seizures involve shaking,” said Dr Praveen Gupta, Chairman - Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro and Spine (MAIINS). “Some seizures look like daydreaming or confusion, which is why epilepsy is often missed. Early diagnosis is very important.”

“Epilepsy affects people of all ages, but many patients reach us very late because of fear and wrong information,” said Dr Praveen. “With timely treatment, most patients can live a completely normal life.”
He further said that in India, epilepsy surgery is also being used successfully. “Surgeons carefully locate the part of the brain causing seizures and remove or treat it safely. This can greatly reduce or even stop seizures, giving patients a much better quality of life.”

Dr Praveen added that surgery is usually considered only after medicines have been tried, but it offers hope for those with drug-resistant epilepsy. He further noted that for patients whose seizures do not stop with medicines, a condition called drug-resistant epilepsy, advanced treatments are now available. “Modern treatment options, including advanced surgery and neuro-robotic techniques, are offering new hope to patients. These treatments are changing outcomes.”

Dr. Vineet Malhotra, Principal Consultant, Urology, Sexology, Andrology, Infertility Treatment, SCM Healthcare, said epilepsy can also affect men’s sexual life. "Seizures, stress, and some anti-seizure medicines may sometimes lower energy, affect hormone levels, or reduce sexual desire." However, he said that doctors can help manage these issues through lifestyle advice, medicine adjustments, and counselling, so patients can lead healthy, active lives.