Epilepsy, also known as seizure disorder, is a neurological disorder, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It is marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, unusual behaviour, sometimes loss of consciousness, and convulsions.
Anyone can develop epilepsy at any stage during their lifetime. The disorder affects both males and females of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds. It is not contagious or infectious, nor is it a mental illness or psychiatric disorder.
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase your risk of epilepsy:
- Age: The onset of epilepsy is most common in children and older adults, but the condition may occur at any age, at any time.
- Family history: If you have a family history of epilepsy, you may be at an increased risk of developing a seizure disorder.
- Head injuries: Head injuries are responsible for some cases of epilepsy. Reduce your risk by wearing a seat-belt while riding in a car and wear a helmet when cycling, skiing, riding a motorcycle or engaging in other activities with a high risk of head injury.
- Stroke and other vascular diseases: Stroke and other blood vessel (vascular) diseases can lead to brain damage that may trigger epilepsy. To reduce your risk; limit your alcohol consumption and avoid cigarette smoking, maintain a healthy diet, and exercise regularly.
- Dementia: In older adults, Dementia can increase the risk of epilepsy.
- Brain infections: Infections such as meningitis causes inflammation in your brain or spinal cord and may increase the risk of epilepsy.
- Childhood Seizures: High fevers during childhood can sometimes be associated with seizures. Children who have seizures due to high fever generally won’t develop epilepsy. The risk will increase if a child has a long seizure, another nervous system condition or a family history of epilepsy.
Causes
The underlying causes of the epilepsy is unknown (idiopathic epilepsy) in approximately 66% of cases. Possible underlying causes of symptomatic epilepsy include: A head injury occurring at any age, A birth injury, Alcohol and drug abuse.
National Disability Rights Awareness Month
According to research, 5% – 12% of all South Africans live with some form of disability – and 20% of these have epilepsy – which is double the amount in developed countries. About 1 in 20 people will have an epileptic seizure at some point in their lives, while 1 in 100 will have seizures on a regular basis.
People with epilepsy are still able to do physical and intellectual work, and should not be treated differently. South Africa commemorates National Disability Rights Awareness Month every year from 3 November – 3 December.
Shop Online
The Epilepsy Awareness Bracelet consist of purple wooden beads with crystals – and a Diamanté Awareness Ribbon Charm.
To place and order, contact the agent in your area or shop online.
Sources: https://www.gov.za, https://epilepsy.org.za, https://www.mayoclinic.org
All information in this post is published for general information and educational purposes only. Arms of Mercy NPC and the armsofmercy.org.za website do not offer any diagnosis or treatment, and will not be held liable for any adverse health effects, losses and/or damages whatsoever. Any action you take as a result of the information is at your own risk, and does not replace the advice of a qualified medical practitioner. Always consult with your medical healthcare practitioner.
