‘Epilepsy patients can lead normal lives’

More than 150 patients took part in an awareness programme at Govt. Royapettah Hospital

Persons with epilepsy can be treated and lead a normal life was the message stressed upon by doctors at an awareness programme at Government Royapettah Hospital (GRH) on Thursday.

The programme was organised by the hospital’s department of neurology and neurosurgery and medicine as part of the events to mark World Epilepsy Day, observed on November 17 every year.

A group of more than 150 patients, comprising a large number of out-patients, took part in the meeting. Doctors said that hormonal imbalance and use of toxins and banned substances — drugs for instance — are some of the causes for epilepsy among adolescents.

“After being diagnosed, patients have to take medicines regularly,” said V. Chandramouleeswaran, associate professor of the department.

“An imbalance in electrical impulses in the brain results in seizures. Giving steel key chains when patients suffer from a seizure is a wrong practice because the key chains do not have any effect in controlling seizures. Instead, the patient should be shifted to a shady place and made to take rest,” said Dr. Chandramouleeswaran.

At GRH, the out-patient department is open on Mondays and Thursdays and around 150 persons with epilepsy are treated in a day. Most of the patients are in the age group of 10 to 30 years.