AP lags in fight against fits

Udumula SudhaKar Reddy
17th Nov 2008
A majority of patients suffering from epilepsy in the state still depend on quacks as the awareness levels are very low, particularly in the rural and the tribal areas.
In Andhra Pradesh alone, up to six lakh children suffer from epilepsy out of 55 to 78 lakh people in India who have the disease.
Doctors warn that the rate of epileptic patients committing suicide is on the rise. Nalgonda, Karimnagar, Guntur and Rajahmundry have reported the highest number of cases of epilepsy.
As several myths are attached to the disease, the patients are the discriminated against.
Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain. When there is a disturbance or improper transmission of electrical impulses, a person gets a seizure.
Symptoms of seizure are characterised by sudden trembling and uncontrollable movements of the arms and legs, followed by loss of consciousness. In some individuals, seizures are not so severe:- There may be a brief period of trembling or muscle contractions after which the person recovers.
Some patients who have a seizure simply stare blankly for a few seconds.
A single episode of seizure does not mean a person has epilepsy. People with epilepsy have regular and repeated seizures.
Official statistics state that only 20 to 30 per cent of the patients receive proper treatment from qualified physicians while the rest depend on unqualified persons.
Dr Zaffer Shah Nawaz, an epileptologist at Global Hospitals, says, “Most of the victims are from rural areas. The most common genetic cause of epilepsy in children in Andhra Pradesh is febrile seizure”.
People still believe that only otter’s blood can cure it. Some believe that a concoction made from tree leaves and cauterisation can cure epilepsy. This thinking has to change.” said.
“In some cases, epilepsy is curable. In nearly 85 per cent of the cases, the seizure do no recur and the patient can lead a normal life,” Dr Zaffer says.
With Hyderabad emerging as the health capital of the country, patients from Pakistan, Yemen, Iran and Saudi Arabia are now coming for treatment of in the city hospitals for epilepsy.
A study by Nimhans has revealed that epilepsy is associated with social shame in several states in the country.
Many cases go unreported or undetected due to lack of knowledge and understanding among the masses.
Dr S. Mohandas, neurologist with Kims, says, “Epilepsy, or seizure disorder, is neither a curse nor a sin. It is just like other diseases and disorders like high blood pressure or diabetes — a medical problem that can be treated. Epilepsy patients don’t turn violent.” Studies have found that people with epilepsy are three times more at risk of committing suicide as compared to other people.
It was also found that the risk is greater among women patients.
The likelihood of people freshly diagnosed with epilepsy committing suicide is even higher. Dr T. Umesh, consultantneurologist with Wockhardt, says, “Newly diagnosed patients often have many misunderstandings about the disease.” Researchers also found that people with both epilepsy and a psychiatric illness have a 29-fold increase in suicide risk than ordinary people.
Says Dr S. Mohan Das, “Epilepsy patients need emotional and psychological support, especially immediately after it is diagnosed.” Experts say that epilepsy should not be understood as a single disorder, but rather as a group of health conditions with different symptoms but all involving irregular abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
The district medical and health officer, Dr Ch. Jaya Kumari says, “There are two types of epilepsy — grandmal and petitmal. In most cases the cause is not known. Encephalitis and brain tumours can also lead to seizures. The state government is giving free medication for a five-year course.
In Hyderabad, patients are referred to the Osmania General Hospital and Gandhi General Hospital.” Dr Kumari further cautions about patients receiving injuries during seizures.
“Precautions must be taken when they suffer seizures. There are chances of patients receiving a head injury and biting of tongue.” However, in the state government hospitals, the EEG (electro encephala graph) investigation is not available.
She said, “Seizures can be terrifying. A belief that it is contagious and possessed by evil spirits are also leading to discrimination.” Experts earlier have suggested that the state government must implement in the primary health care (PHC) centre based model for treating epileptic patients. But if failed to take off.