Epilepsy and its control

 Written by: Muhammad Arif Rahimi

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness. Anyone could develop epilepsy. AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some people and a physician about the sings, symptoms, and control of this disease.

Muhammad Jahangir, a resident of Qarabagh district, Kabul province says, “My brother is suffering from epilepsy from about 25 years ago and first he faced this disease when he was 2 years old. He is biting his tongue; blood is coming from his mouth. More happiness and more sadness cause him epilepsy seizure.”

Razia Muhammadi, a resident of Kabul city says, “Once we went to a wedding party. There in the hotel, one of our relatives fell on the ground and lost her senses. She was biting her tongue and her hands were closed, no one was able to open her hands. Blood also came from her mouth.”

Doctor Khoshal Tawifq Amarkhel, a neurologist in one of the private clinics in Kabul city talks about this disease, “These kinds of patients face epileptic seizures and these seizures might last about 3-5 minutes. The patient moves her/his hands involuntary; foams come from her/his moth; biting her/his tongue; loses her/his sensation’; some patients might lose urinary and bowel control. They might make a horrible sound, if there is water or fire near such patients, the danger of hurting or dying might threaten them.”

What do people think about the causes of this disease?

Zardada Sahak, a resident of Qarabagh district, Kabul province says, “I do know about the causes of epilepsy but have seen some patients falling on the ground.”

Jahanzeb, another resident of Qarabagh district says, “The causes of epilepsy seizure are the resistance of excitatory neurons to fire and water during the period epilepsy attack.”

Doctor Amarkhel talks about the causes of epilepsy, “Seizures are generally described in two major groups: generalized seizures and focal seizures. Generalized seizures affect the whole brain. Focal, or partial seizures, affect just one part of the brain.

A mild seizure may be difficult to recognize. It can last a few seconds during which you might face the lack of awareness.

Stronger seizures can cause spasms and uncontrollable muscle twitches and can last a few seconds to several minutes. During a stronger seizure, some people become confused or lose consciousness. Afterward, you may have no memory of it happening.

There are several reasons you might have a seizure. These include high fever; head trauma; very low blood sugar and alcohol withdrawal.”

How do people control epilepsy?

Sayed Rahim says, “One of my classmates and friends is suffering from epilepsy. My teacher told me to accompany him when he goes anywhere and does not let him swim or go near a river.”

Jahanzeb says, “We give the medicines according to the description of the doctor. If he goes to a festive or to relatives’ house, we do not forget his medicines. We do not let him go near a car or ride a bicycle or a tree. Now he is better than before.”