Managing and living with epilepsy

Dr Kuti Oluwatosin, a field officer working with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Enugu office, said in a presentation titled, “Health and Disability,” that epilepsy was first observed in 350 B.C.The seizures originate from the brain as explained by Dr Biodun Ogungbo, a Consultant Neurosurgeon and the Director, Stroke Action Nigeria, who is an […]

Dr Kuti Oluwatosin, a field officer working with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Enugu office, said in a presentation titled, “Health and Disability,” that epilepsy was first observed in 350 B.C.
The seizures originate from the brain as explained by Dr Biodun Ogungbo, a Consultant Neurosurgeon and the Director, Stroke Action Nigeria, who is an expert in cases of disabilities.
“The brain is made up of nerves known as electric wires. These wires connect together in a delicate pattern to move the muscles and understand whatever the body is experiencing,” Dr Ogungbo said.
“A short circuiting of the wiring can lead to overloading of the brain causing it to stop functioning correctly and everything can become jumbled up. This misfiring can last a few seconds or be prolonged and is called a seizure or fit. Many fits is called epilepsy and someone who is having repeated fits can be epileptic,” added.
Speaking further, Ogungbo said head injury can lead to damage to the nerves and the person can then have a seizure. Brain tumours also damage the nerves and can cause epilepsy.
Unfortunately the statistics of Nigerians living with the condition is not known as many persons suffer in silence, others shy away from seeking treatment due to the discrimination that is attached to it. For instance, epilepsy is diagnosed in 125000 Americans each year, according to WebMD, an online source for health and medical news and information.
Henry Base (not real name), a third year student at the university, recalls his experience. “It has not been easy, each time I have these seizures I end up in the hospital, my studies come to a standstill”.
“The worst is the friends you lose because they are not knowledgeable about the conditions, and some of them treat you like dirt because they don’t want you to infect them.”
However, Dr Ogungbo says that stigmatization is not the way to go because epilepsy can happen to anybody. “Even people who feel perfectly healthy can still suffer from epilepsy. It is not selective and can affect anyone and at any time. It is therefore something that we all should learn about and be clear as to the possible reasons why some people have epilepsy. It should allow us to be more sympathetic to sufferers”.
Chairman of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) International, Professor Pai Obanya, speaking on the ordeal of persons with disabilities, said though Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, it has failed to protect and safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities especially children.
The professor reviewing the “State of the World Children report on, Children with disabilities” produced by United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) said most children with disabilities are excluded from participating in activities that would have enabled them live fulfilling lives.
Obanya also pointed out that each child is a unique individual entitled to be respected and consulted who should not be regarded or treated as recipients of charity.
Ogungbo said that epilepsy is not always a lifelong condition as many people who have been seizure-free for three or four years have their medications carefully withdrawn under close medical supervision and remain free for the rest of their lives
He explained that epilepsy can be prevented, treated, controlled and rarely, cured but stressed that the easiest and most important treatment is prevention while preventing epilepsy through offering early drug treatment to patients with head injury, meningitis and those undergoing brain surgery.
He suggested the following when a person is having a fit: “Move objects that can harm the person, out of the way. If possible, place a pillow under the person’s head so that the head doesn’t bang against the floor causing injury. Keep calm and do not panic.”
“Let the seizure run its course and do not hold them down. If possible move them to a comfortable place and let them sleep or at least have a good rest once the seizure is over”.
According to him, people trying to help can cause untold suffering, pain, lifelong disability and death.
He noted that some communities have burnt the feet of the sufferer in the name of trying to help.
“Please do not do this. Also, the practice of putting a stick or spoon in their mouth is not necessary and can be damaging. Finally, in some communities, various concoctions (urine, drugs and alcohol) are poured down the throat of the sufferer. This can lead to choking, aspiration, pneumonia and death”.