FAQs

FAQs

Q. 1: What are the symptoms of Epilepsy?

Ans.: Fits are of many types. The symptoms found in most of the cases are:

Sudden fainting & falling on ground,
Face turning to one side,
Eyes becoming glossy
Clenching of fists,
Bending of neck to one side,
Foaming in the mouth,
Feeling of giddiness for a second,
Fainting with oh'-oh'/go'-go' sound or even headache with giddiness,
Seizures during Menstrual period in women.

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Also See

Epilepsy Marriage Bureau

Story Of Yasho

Sanvedana

Sanvedana II

Q. 2: What Causes Epilepsy?

It is estimated that 50 million people worldwide and 2.5 million Americans have epilepsy. About 75% of epileptic seizures start in childhood. About 5% of the population will have at least one seizure, not counting the 5% of children who have seizures caused by fevers. The cause can be determined for about 28% of partial epilepsy patients, but in nearly three-quarters of all cases, the cause is unknown. The age of onset can sometimes offer a clue.

Q. 3: What is a seizure?

Q. 4: How is epilepsy treated?

Most seizure disorders can be controlled partly or completely by:

Anti-convulsive medication
Surgery
Diet

Q. 5: At what age does epilepsy start? Is it hereditary?

Epilepsy primarily affects children and young adults, although anyone can get epilepsy at anytime. 20% of cases develop before the age of five, and 50% develop before the age of 25. However, epilepsy is also increasingly associated with the elderly, and there are as many cases in those 60 years of age and older as in children 10 years of age and under.
Heredity usually is not a direct factor in epilepsy. But some kinds of brain wave patterns associated with seizures do tend to run in families.

Q. 6: How can I help someone who is having a seizure?

Stay calm- don't try to restrain or revive the person. If the person is seated, help ease him/her to the floor.
Remove hazards such as hard or sharp objects that could cause injury if the person falls or knocks against them.
Don't move the person unless the area is clearly dangerous, such as a busy street.
Loosen tight clothing and remove glasses.
Protect airways by gently turning the person on one side so any fluid in the mouth can drain safely.
Never try to force something into the person's mouth!
Don't call an ambulance unless the seizure lasts more than five minutes, or is immediately followed by another one, or if the person is pregnant, ill, or injured.
When the seizure ends, let the person rest or sleep. Be calm and reassuring because the person may feel disoriented or embarrassed.

Q. 7: How do the doctors know that a person has epilepsy?

A range of tests can be carried out at specialist centres to identify possible causes of epilepsy - but these cannot always provide a definite diagnosis. The patient's medical history and an eye-witness account are what doctors mainly use to decide the diagnosis. Epilepsy is a very difficult condition to diagnose correctly so it is important to see someone who has a specialist knowledge in this field as soon as possible.

Q. 8: How long is treatment necessary for epilepsy?

There is no easy answer to this question. Some people will need to take antiepileptic drugs all their lives. Others may only need medication for a limited time. If no seizures have happened for two to three years, then consult a doctor first about the possibility of withdrawing from the drugs - don't decide just to stop! Seizures may return or become severe and life- threatening.

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