• April 25, 2024

The epilepsy it is a very frequent neurological disease that affects around 1 to 2 percent of the world population; while in Mexico it suffers about two million Mexicans, says the doctor Lilia Núñez .

As it is a very frequent problem, it is a reason for medical attention and long-term treatment, which is why it is classified as a public health problem, according to the presidency of the Acceptance Group of Epilepsy that constitutes the Mexican Chapter of the International Bureau for Epilepsy.

Myths about epilepsy

Within the framework of World Epilepsy Day , the specialist points out, in an interview for GetQoralHealth , that a patient with epilepsy presents seizures or attacks repeatedly with a variable frequency, due to an excessive discharge of neurons.

Since it starts, epilepsy has paroxysmal manifestations, that is, they start abruptly, last from a few seconds to two minutes, the person recovers, emphasizes the neurologist.

There are crises where the brevity of the manifestation makes it difficult to identify the epilepsy , as well as cumbersome crises such as seizures that impact the people around.

Epilepsy is not contagious!

It is important to note that this condition, considered the third most frequent neurological disorder, has different manifestations and causes, so it is common for there to be myths around it, such as the following:

1. It is a supernatural phenomenon
2. It is a divine punishment
3. It is contagious
4. It is synonymous with madness or mental retardation
5. It is the product of witchcraft

Even another myth that arises about this neurological condition is that patients can be aggressive or violent, but it leads to people with epilepsy being stigmatized and rejected in the social environment, says Lilia Núñez.

However, most people can lead a normal life if they have adequate treatment.

Therefore, it is recommended that people who suffer epilepsy take a treatment monitored by a specialist in neurology, to avoid side effects.

In this way, the discrimination and stigmatization against the epilepsy . In addition, affected people are allowed to fully develop their abilities and integrate their family, school, work and social life in a normal way.

Video Medicine: 11 Epilepsy Myths | Epilepsy (April 2024).