Those who think epilepsy is a curse would have to rethink again. Those are the sentiments of a psychiatric nurse at the Tamale Central Hospital (TCH) Psychiatric unit, Mr. Isaac Borlu. Mr Borlu says people with epilepsy are not cursed and that they can live a normal life. He is not happy that people with epilepsy are stigmatized in society thereby making them feel dejected and isolated in life.
According to Mr. Borlu, epilepsy is not the result of breaking a taboo as perceived by many indigenous people. The disease he noted is not contagious, but manageable and should not be seen as a deadly disease.
People with epilepsy in some areas of the world experience varying degrees of social stigma due to their condition. According to Mr. Isaac, the cause of most cases of epilepsy is unknown; saying some cases occur as a result of brain injury, stroke, brain tumors, infections of the brain and birth defects.
Some of the risks factors that can trigger epileptic seizures he mentioned include, hunger, anger, excessive stress, flashes of light in room, focusing on moving objects for a longer time, over excitement. Signs and symptoms include foaming from the mouth, epileptic cry, muscle stiffness and sudden falls.
Epilepsy according to Mr Isaac is preventable, and that society should not neglect people with epilepsy. He advised the general public to develop the habit of consuming fruits and vegetables to nourish the brain, prevent head injuries, control the intake of alcohol, and substance abuse.
BY: LILIAN D. WALTER
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