Fortis Hospital, Amritsar Multi Speciality Hospital
SCO No.128
District Shopping Centre
Ranjit Avenue
Amritsar -
143001 Punjab India
Tel: 91-183-5050222
Fax: 91-183-5050221
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91-183 -505 0222
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Faulty lifestyle leading to epilepsy, say experts
The Tribune
Amritsar
An alarming rise is being seen in cases related to epilepsy in the city and most of these cases are due to brain infection caused by uncooked food, faulty lifestyle and accidents.
These revelations were made during a free camp held on the occasion of World Epilepsy Day at the Escorts Heart and Super Specialty Institute here.
As many as 62 patients availed of the free consultation and medicine distribution services doled out by the hospital authorities to patients suffering from the debilitating disease. Two brain specialists, Dr Raj Kamal and Dr Sachin Mishra, of the hospital examined the patients.
They revealed that about 30 per cent of the patients who attended the camp were suffering from fits due to infection in the central nervous system (CNS) and were in their 20s while others suffered fits due to brain tumours or head injury caused by trauma due to accidents.
Among these patients 50 per cent were women. The doctors also said in accident cases where patients were suffering from brain injuries and fits, almost all were in the age group of 20 to 40 years.
Cautioning patients against the prevalent superstitious practices, the doctors say in many cases giving water could prove fatal, while making the patient smell shoes was no cure. Instead the patient could be rested on his/her side so that easy flow of air could be maintained and a non-abrasive item could be inserted in the mouth to prevent patient biting his/her tongue
Allaying fears of many suffering from the disease, Dr Raj Kamal said in 80 per cent cases medication could improve matters. Dr Sachin said in 20 to 25 cases surgical intervention may be required.
Dr Kamal further revealed that six to eight cases of epilepsy in every 1,000 persons were presently being reported in India but the figure was rising.
He said dogmas and superstitions among relatives and friends of patients often spoiled matters, with many taking the fit to be divine intervention.
Cautioning patients against the prevalent superstitious practices, he said in many cases giving water could prove fatal, while smelling footwear is no cure. Instead the patient could be rested on his/her side so that easy flow of air could be maintained and a non-abrasive item could be inserted in the mouth to prevent biting of the tongue by the patient.
About the most widespread causes Dr Sachin said injury during birth or malformed brain in newborns could cause epilepsy while in the young people the causes were mostly unknown. In the elderly the fits could be caused due to brain strokes, tumours or trauma due to accidents.
