Epilepsy: Possessed?

Fainting, writhing on the floor, and foaming from the mouth were actions she had to endure for years. After searching everywhere else for answers, Akile’s parents took her to see the village doctor at the local health center.

“She’s not possessed; she is rather epileptic,” Dr. Thomas said to her parents after examining her and getting details of the symptoms.

What Epilepsy is

Epilepsy is a disorder involving the brain, in which a person experiences uncontrollable jerky movements involving some or all parts of their body. Usually, these jerky movements, or seizures, are unprovoked and could occur at any time.

In some areas of the world, especially developing or underdeveloped countries, people with epilepsy are stigmatized and treated as being possessed by evil spirits.

Causes of Epilepsy

Although some cases have no known cause, others have genetic or acquired causes, or even both. Acquired causes of epilepsy include problems with the brain, like brain tumors, traumatic brain injury, and some health problems occurring from childbirth.

Seizures in people with epilepsy could be triggered by external factors, like sudden noises, flashing lights, stress, illness, caffeine, alcohol, bad eating habits, medications or drugs, and insomnia.

Signs and symptoms of Epilepsy

The major symptom of epilepsy is seizures. Other symptoms vary from individual to individual, depending on the type or severity of the seizures they have.

1. Epileptic seizures: These present as uncontrollable jerkiness of the muscles of the body. These convulsive patterns or writhing sometimes lead to bone fractures, because the seizures could throw the individual forcefully  on the floor.
2. Loss of continence: During seizures, persons with epilepsy often lose control of their bowels and bladder, and could defecate or urinate on themselves.
3. Bites on the tongue.
4. Postictal period: This is a period of confusion that occurs immediately after an active seizure. During this period, the individual may become unconscious and drowsy, and may not recall the seizure episode. Further, the individual may experience headaches, fatigue, irrational behavior, and difficulty speaking during the post-ictal phase.

Treatment of Epilepsy

Though Epilepsy has no cure, there are treatments doctors administer to reduce its frequency and severity. These include anti-epileptic (anticonvulsant, anti-seizure) drugs or much less commonly brain surgery in which areas of the brain where the seizures originate from are either removed or repaired