Everyone was back in the club on a Friday night to de-stress after a week of arduous work; then suddenly, we heard a loud noise, like a smash of beer bottle on the floor. John had fallen down again, seizing uncontrollably with serious muscle jerks in his arms and legs. We managed to rush him to the nearby hospital where the convulsions were arrested, putting John to a deep sleep. This is a recurrent thing for John, and he, like us, is seriously searching for answers. Could this even be a spiritual problem?  

Epilepsy is a problem of the brain, in which the nerves fire uncontrollably, releasing chemicals that cause the brain to stimulate the muscles without control. Uncontrolled epilepsy is a debilitating disease. Anyone can suffer epilepsy; a child or an elderly man or woman from all races and ethnic backgrounds.  

Having one episode of seizures does not mean you have epilepsy; however, having more than one episode unprovoked by anything at least 24 hours apart confirms the diagnosis of epilepsy.  

Symptoms of epilepsy 

Epilepsy could present in many ways depending on the type. One type of epilepsy presents as a blank stare that lasts several minutes. Other common symptoms include:  

• Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs 
• Muscle stiffness 
• Urinating or defecating on oneself during episodes 
• Loss of consciousness 
• Confusion 

What causes epilepsy?  

The cause of this brain disease is not always clear, but it can sometimes be traced to a number of conditions, including;  

• Genes: Somehow, some types of epilepsy run within families. Your risk of epilepsy could be higher if you have a family member with the condition.  
• Head injury: Head injury could cause damage to certain parts of the brain, which could trigger episodes of convulsions. 
• Infections: Infections that affect the brain, such as HIV, meningitis, and some worm infections may cause damage to the brain, which may lead to recurrent seizures 
• Birth Injuries: Injuries sustained during birth, such as from prolonged labor or a traumatic birth, may cause brain damage that evokes convulsions later. 
• Seizures in childhood: Some children younger than five years often convulse when they have very high fevers (febrile seizure). This puts the child at a higher risk of having a repeat episode in the future or developing epilepsy.  

What can we do about it? 

Epilepsy tends to interrupt a person’s life if not treated. It could lead to falls, head injuries, car accidents, and low self-esteem because of its unpredictable pattern. Treatment for epilepsy begins with identifying the possible cause, and this involves many investigations including images of the brain, electroencephalogram, and blood tests to check where the brain’s over-firing is coming from.  

The doctor will prescribe anti-seizure medications to both abort seizure episodes and reduce their frequency. The goal is to live a seizure-free life. But some are not so lucky, and others may need surgical removal of the area of the brain where the epilepsy is coming from.  

To cope with the condition, note the following tips:  

• Educate yourself, family, and friends about epilepsy. Do not keep an epilepsy diagnosis to yourself. Let friends and family be aware, so they can help you adjust. 
• Live as independently as possible; however, if certain activities put you in danger, such as driving or operating machinery, seek out alternatives. 
• Manage stress: sleep deprivation and stress could increase the frequency of episodes. Find ways to combat stress and get enough sleep. 
• Take your medicines as prescribed. This lowers the frequency of episodes and could even eliminate seizures.