Everything we do is due to certain brain cells in our body -they control our every action, thought and our ability to do everything we do. Just reading this involves decoding a variety of symbols to make sense. However, this system can break down from time to time. We can be attacked by seizures.
Seizures are events where the brain’s electrical activity is disturbed, which can cause an outbreak of violent shaking and loss of control but not in every case. They can affect any one of us throughout our lives regardless of an underlying medical condition. Common triggers include heavy consumption of alcohol, illegal drugs, not having enough sleep, stress and tiredness, etc.
Fortunately, the brain recognises there has been a breakdown and tries to stop it getting worse during the incident. Usually, most seizures tend to stop after a few minutes and stop altogether but some can stop and restart as a run of them or one may even experience a malfunction in their brain and this results in the seizure not stopping. This, in turn, could cause brain damage or even death so awareness of this is very important.
November is the month of Epilepsy Awareness – a condition researched to a very low level. Scientifically, epilepsy is “a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain” (as per Google).
Epileptic seizures can affect around 1 in 100 people in the UK. Around 87 people are diagnosed with epilepsy every day in the UK and over 500,000 in the UK are already diagnosed. Only around half of the population are seizure free in the UK and estimations show that 70% of epileptics have the potential to live without seizures with correct treatment. Around 5% with epilepsy can be afflicted with seizures from flashing lights and others can get seizures from strong perfumes but these aren't as common. Some shows had to be taken down due to seizures in people while watching such as one Pokémon episode. Epilepsy is actually just as common as breast cancer in America, yet is researched to a much lesser degree.
Causes of this condition fall into 2 categories. The first is idiopathic (primary). This is where no certain cause is found and may be due to family history of epilepsy itself or similar conditions. The second is symptomatic (secondary) epilepsy which affects mostly those over 60. Symptomatic epilepsy is where there is a known reason which may include brain tumours, alcohol misuse and head injuries.
Many treat it in different ways. Ayurvedic medicine, herbal remedies, traditional Chinese medicine but also medical cannabis in pure form. However, the main drugs prescribed definitely hold the best benefits. Trials of the use of this drug as a medicine have been happening in Great Ormond Street Hospital and the University of Edinburgh Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre. However, long-term safety tests still need to be undertaken.
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is where a person may die from a seizure for no obvious reason. However, it is uncommon and can be preventable. Around 600 people are affected by this and so is definitely a research priority for charities such as Epilepsy Society (as pictured) since it can destroy the lives of families too.
However, not all is bad. There are many famous figures that have had or still do have epilepsy such as Susan Boyle, Charles Dickens and Prince. They have fought past it and made something special of their lives regardless. Sharon Deborah Anand, 14 (from London), says “epilepsy is something [she doesn’t] really think about often. For people who suffer with it, [she thinks] it’s harder for them to do the things we take for granted.”
Many take part in awareness this month for a condition which can cause much difficulty in one’s life as well the surrounding people. Some do arm painting (as pictured) while others fundraise and donate money to epilepsy charities. Jennifer Phan lives in Independence, Missouri and has an Instagram page, @jenfacepainting on which she posts her artwork. “ [She is] a self-taught face/body painter.” Her youngest daughter has epilepsy and autism and so she does paintings all month long in November, for epilepsy, and in April,for autism. Helping in any way possible will make the lives of many people much better. Donate here at:www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/donate-0#.WDdNCOIyodU
Raising awareness for this is the only way we can stop it.
If you think you are suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned in this article and you could be epileptic, please consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Additti Agrawal, Newstead Wood School
