Sir,
This refers to the writeup’Epilepsy is a treatable Disease’ by Dr SK Gupta, published on the occasion of National Epilepsy Day. (DE,Nov17,2019). The writeup was highly informative and made an interesting reading. The writer, himself a renowned neurologist,has beautifully and thoroughly described the causes, facts and misconceptions related to epilepsy which is the oldest known brain disorder and which is poorly understood even these days in the midst of so much advancement and social change .The fact that 80 percent of the epileptics are in the developing countries is a matter of concern and it is imperative that the developed countries rendered all help to the developing countries in treating epileptic patients.The writer has also enumerated Do’s and Don’ts about epilepsy and highlighted the precautions to be observed when the patient has a fit of epileptic seizure.The patient must have normal interaction with family and friends, take drugs regularly,have proper sleep and diet etc.,At the same time we must avoid forcing or inserting hard things such as spoons etc in the patient’s mouth when the patient is having seizure, which people generally do.Patients too must keep themselves away from from factors such as lack of sleep and withdrawal of drugs etc which trigger epileptic seizures.Massive awareness needs to be created in the people regarding the fact that epilepsy is treatable if the patient takes medicines regularly under the guidance of a doctor.In fact, eminent persons from history, such as Alfred Nobel, Pythagorus, Jonty Rhodes, Napolean Bonaparte etc are said to have suffered from epilepsy and yet recorded enviable achievements in their respective fields.
All this proves that this disease is curable and did not stand in the way to their enviable achievements.Thus, a person suffering from epilepsy can live a normal life and he /she can marry and produce children.Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions, myths and stigma associated with epilepsy.Some superstitious people ascribe this disease to evil spirits or supernatural forces and seek the advice of quacks for treatment of epilepsy.Thus,mass awareness needs to be created among the masses in order to dispel myths and misconceptions about this brain disorder.
Ashok Sharma,
Housing Colony, Udhampur.
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