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International Epilepsy Day

Epilepsy: Signs to Watch Out for and its treatment

Feb 7th, 2021

Posts Tagged ‘ Neurological Disorder ’

Epilepsy: Signs to Watch Out for and its treatment

Sunday, February 7th, 2021

India is home to more than 1.5 crore epilepsy patients, still the disease remains unknown to many and is surrounded by many superstitions. Epilepsy occurs as a result of an abnormal electrical activity originating in the brain and is a neurological condition that requires medical intervention. Epilepsy is a serious problem in our country, however, statistics suggest that while 60% of people in urban India consult a doctor after suffering a seizure, only 10% in rural India would do so. Nearly 95% of the people with active epilepsy do not receive appropriate treatment for their condition. The lack of awareness about epilepsy, poverty, cultural beliefs, stigma, and poor access to healthcare facilities contributes to a vast treatment gap. Increased awareness, correct diagnosis and timely treatment can help many epilepsy patients live seizure-free and help improve the quality of their life.

Seizures, abnormal movements or behaviour due to unusual electrical activity in the brain, are a symptom of epilepsy. It is observed that not all people who appear to have seizures have epilepsy. Seizures need to be investigated by a neurologist to check if they are epileptic. The person may have varying degrees of symptoms depending on the type of seizure. Here are a few common warning signs of a seizure:

  • Jerking movements of the arms and legs
  • Stiffening of the body
  • Falling suddenly for no apparent reason
  • Not responding to noise or words for brief periods
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Breathing problems or breathing stops
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Appearing confused or in a haze
  • Periods of rapid eye blinking and staring

Consult your doctor to investigate the reason behind your seizure.

What triggers an Epileptic seizure?
Some people are able to identify key factors or situations that can trigger seizures, a few common triggers include:

  • Missed medication
  • Lack of sleep
  • Stress
  • Bright lights, flashing lights, or patterns
  • Caffeine, alcohol, or drugs

It is observed that a single incident doesn’t always mean something is a trigger. It’s often a combination of factors and repeated occurrence that trigger a seizure. Tracking your seizures and details around it helps your doctor adjust or change your medications or explore other treatment options.

How to deal with Seizures
Is someone around you having a seizure? Here are few tips to help that person:

  • Stay calm
  • Loosen any tight clothing especially around the neck
  • Allow the person to rest or sleep
  • Put something soft under his or her head
  • Remove sharp objects or other harmful objects around the person
  • Roll the person onto one side
  • Stay with the person till they are better, call for medical help if needed

Myths and facts about Epilepsy
There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding epilepsy disease. Some of these include:

Myth: If someone is having a seizure, you should put something into their mouth.
Fact: Never put anything in a person’s mouth who is having a seizure. This could end up hurting the person more.

Myth: You should restrain someone having a seizure.
Fact: Never hold down a person during a seizure. This may cause a bone or muscular injury.

Myth: Epilepsy is contagious.
Fact: That is not true, this disease is not infectious in nature.

Myth: People with epilepsy cannot work
Fact: If a person has epilepsy, it does not mean they have an intellectual disability or are disabled. Most people with epilepsy are not disabled and are able to have successful careers in many different professions.

Epilepsy treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
Our Centre for Neurosciences offers a Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Programme to treat adults and children with epilepsy. The team is highly trained to help diagnose and treat newly diagnosed epilepsy patients, complex epilepsy cases as well as surgical cases. Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is the first and only centre in Western India that provides state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities for epilepsy evaluation under one umbrella. The Centre for Neurosciences is equipped with high-end technology like the 3T Magnetom trio that is highly beneficial to investigate Epilepsy. We have also successfully performed over 150 epilepsy surgeries in the past. Our Support Group For Epilepsy meets regularly and addresses various medical social and professional issues for epilepsy patients and caregivers.

Do you or a loved one need Epilepsy care? Consult experts at our Centre for Neurosciences for multidisciplinary care. For more information please visit:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_neurosciences/epilepsy.html

Healthy living with Alzheimer’s

Monday, September 21st, 2020

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder in which the death of brain cells causes memory loss and cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s disease tends to develop slowly and gradually worsens over several years. Eventually, Alzheimer’s disease affects most areas of your brain. Memory, thinking, judgment, language, problem-solving, personality, and movement can all be affected by the disease.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

Mild forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. But if memory problems are seriously affecting your daily life, they could be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. They include:

  • Memory loss
  • Misplacing things
  • Lapse in judgment
  • Daily tasks are a challenge
  • Times and places are confusing
  • Changes in vision
  • Words and conversations are frustrating
  • Social withdrawal
  • Mood changes

These symptoms need further investigation by a neurologist.

Reduce your Alzheimer’s risk

Adopting healthy lifestyle changes may lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by up to 60 percent. Here is what you can do:

  •  Physical exercise – Regular physical exercise helps prevent the development of Alzheimer’s and can slow the progression in people who have symptoms.
  • Eat healthy – A nutritious diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, nuts, and beans helps reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s.
  • Sleep – Protect your brain and lower your risk for Alzheimer’s disease by establishing a bedtime routine and sleeping at least 7 to 8 hours.
    Stress – Studies suggest that stress and hypertension increase the risk of both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Manage stress better.
  • Mental stimulation – Reduce Alzheimer’s risk by stimulating your brain. Solve puzzles, crossword, sudoku, or play card games. Keep your brain active.
  • Social interaction – Alzheimer’s experts believe that social engagement promotes healthy aging and can help prevent the disease. Socialize with family and friends, participate in community activities, learn a new skill to help keep your mind engaged.
  • Quit Smoking – Smoking is harmful to your body and your brain.
  • Medical conditions – Problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can increase your risk of getting Alzheimer’s later in life.
  • Maintain a healthy weight –  Maintaining a healthy weight with exercise and a proper diet can help reduce your risk of getting Alzheimer’s.

Living with Alzheimer’s
There isn’t a cure yet for Alzheimer’s disease. But certain medicines help slow down the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and make the disease easier to live with. There’s a lot you can do to help someone you care about with Alzheimer’s enjoy their day-to-day activities. Even though people with the disease can get frustrated or confused easily, take these steps to help them feel calm and safe. Here are a few helpful tips:

  • Keep a routine: People with Alzheimer’s tend to prefer a familiar schedule and settings. Changes can be hard for them.
  • Limit distractions: People with Alzheimer’s can be easily overwhelmed by crowds and noise. Gather in small groups, avoid crowded places, keep the TV off during other activities.
  • Be flexible: Over time, a person with dementia will become more dependent. To reduce frustration, stay flexible, and adapt your routine and expectations as needed.
  • Create a safe environment: Dementia impairs judgment and problem-solving skills, increasing a person’s risk of injury.
  • Make decisions for your loved ones: People with Alzheimer’s may get flustered when they have to make decisions. It is okay for the caregiver to take some control of everyday choices.

Alzheimer’s in India

In India, more than 4 million people are estimated to be suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, giving the country the third highest caseload in the world. India’s dementia and Alzheimer’s burden is forecast to reach almost 7.5 million by the end of 2030. It is time we increase the awareness of this disease and reach out for medical help.

Concerned about a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s? Our specialists at the Alzheimer’s clinic offer a comprehensive screening and care program for Alzheimer’s and other memory disorders, including neurology consultation, physical and cognitive rehabilitation, and psychotherapy. Please visit:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/alzheimersclinic.html