Epilepsy: Hidden secrets of the brain

Epilepsy is a common disorder that affects the brain and frequently results in recurrent seizures. It consists of bursts of electrical activity that impair the function of the brain. Patients with epilepsy can lead a normal life; however, some people who suffer from long-term severe epilepsy may need assistance in their daily routine. 

Epilepsy has been considered a social shame for millennia, and this stigma still exists in many countries and may influence the life of patients and their families. 

What is epilepsy?

Healthline defines epilepsy as a neurological disorder that causes seizures. A seizure is a sudden spike in the brain electrical activity. Up to 10% of people worldwide experience one seizure in their lifetimes. When someone experiences two or more seizures without obvious explanation, a doctor will diagnose it as epilepsy.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), records of epilepsy date back to 4000 BCE, making it one of the oldest known medical diseases in the world. Around 50 million people worldwide suffer from epilepsy. Epileptic seizures are brief episodes of involuntary movement that may affect only a portion of the body or the entire body. They are occasionally accompanied by loss of consciousness.

The smallest lapses of muscle jerks as well as severe convulsions that last for a long time can be considered seizures. The frequency of seizures can also vary, from fewer than one per year to several per day. 

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) reported that epilepsy doctors classify seizures into primary generalized seizures and partial (focal) seizures. The way they start varies. The former affects both sides of the brain while the latter starts with an electric discharge in one area of the brain. 

Causes and triggers of epilepsy 

Healthline stated that epilepsy can occur at any age, but diagnosis usually occurs in early childhood or after 60 years. The cause of epilepsy cannot be identified in roughly 50% of cases. However, seizures can be developed by several causes such as traumatic head injury, high fever, stroke, shortage of oxygen to the brain, dementia, brain tumor, maternal use of certain drugs, brain deformity at birth, infectious conditions such as HIV, genetic problems, or neurological issues. 

Some common triggers can provoke seizures such as lack of sleep, illness, fever, stress, bright lights, flashing lights, caffeine, alcohol, medications, illegal drugs, skipping meals, overeating, specific food ingredients, very low blood sugar, or head injury.

Treatment and human rights 

Surgery, nutrition therapy, and antiepileptic medications (AEDs) are all options for treating epilepsy. The first line of treatment for almost all people with multiple seizures is medication. In the majority of patients (about 70%), medications are quite successful and completely control seizures. By lessening the tendency of brain cells to send excessive electrical signals, medications can stop seizures before they happen, according to AANS. 

WHO reported that a quarter of epilepsy cases can be avoidable. The most efficient strategy to prevent post-traumatic epilepsy is to minimize head injury, reduce falls, car accidents, and sports injuries. Proper prenatal care can lower the number of new instances of epilepsy.

According to WHO, about 75% of epileptic patients may not obtain the necessary care in low-income countries, which is referred to as “treatment gap”. Moreover, anti-seizure medications are not widely available in many low- and middle-income countries. Epilepsy has major financial repercussions in terms of medical expenses and missed productivity at work.

People with epilepsy may encounter difficulties in working certain occupations, accessing health and life insurance, applying for educational opportunities, and getting a driver's license.

Real-life experiences

Some people diagnosed with epilepsy were very eager to share their stories with Jusoor Post and let the world know more about this disease. 

Mahdy Borba’a, a 30-year-old male patient from the Kingdom of Morocco, told Jusoor Post about his experience with epilepsy:

Fourteen years ago, I was diagnosed with general epilepsy. Causes are still unknow, but some of my family members said that I fell on my head during an accident in my childhood. Since 2009, I have been on medications.

I studied Arabic Language at the University of Marrakech and I am currently working in the field of Pedagogical Support. I have befriended epilepsy. It is part of my body and my life. My body is created by God and I accept whatever He wants to do with it. Epilepsy is a strength point which motivates me to challenge myself and be a better person. 

Maria Al Shafia’, a 26-year-old woman from Syria, shared her story with Jusoor Post:

I suffered from myoclonus when I was eighteen. I never had seizures at that time. A year later, I had my first seizure. Physicians told me there was nothing to worry about because it happened once. A year later, I had my second seizure. It was at this time when I started my epilepsy medications.     

I have never known the reasons for my case. However, I have been coping with the disease; I studied, I got married six months ago, and I live in the KSA at the present time. I have no fears of having children. 

Fawzy from Algeria was willing to tell us about how he is leading his life while being epileptic: 

I am 32 years old. When I was 14, I dropped out of school because I suffered from mild amnesia. Twelve years ago, seizures began to hit me. It has been occurring to me since then. I am diagnosed with Carotid artery, which is the main cause for the seizures. 

Seizures usually happen at night; that is why I stay home. I am socially isolated somehow. I work during the day as a wholesaler. However, when I am hit with a seizure at night, I feel dizzy, tired, blacked out and red-eyed the next day. The good news is that it happens to me only once a month.