Can We Prevent Epilepsy?-by Dr Jatinder Singh Goraya

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological illness afflicting millions of people the world-over.  The affected persons suffer from social stigma and discrimination at every step in life even though we know that several persons of eminence suffered from epilepsy but achieved great heights in their professions or fields or work. Despite campaigns in print and electronic media by the medical professional societies as well patient help group organizations to educate the lay public, stigmatization and discrimination continues.

This brings us to the question: Is epilepsy preventable? In order to answer this question, we have to first know what causes epilepsy. In children premature birth, low birth weight, birth asphyxia, infections and birth trauma can all cause brain injury. These can be easily prevented by ensuring good care of mother during pregnancy especially providing good nutrition and having regular checkups with a doctor to monitor fetal well-being before, during and after delivery. Then, adequate care at the time of delivery and ensuring breast-feeding after birth are very important to prevent any sickness in the newborn soon after birth. Later regular vaccinations are necessary to prevent serious life threatening illness that may also cause brain damage.  

Accidents in children as well as adults are a common and preventable cause of brain injury. Children by their inherent nature of explorations of environment as well as lack of knowledge of consequences are more prone to accidents in home and outdoor activities. Fall from heights, either because of lack of appropriate supervision or safety railings is a very common cause of head injury, often serious with risk of permanent brain damage and epilepsy. Accidental ingestion of toxic substances including adult medicines is also common in children. 

Road side or motor vehicle accidents are another common cause of head injury in adults and children. Rash and drunken driving, lack of adequate sleep, non-use of safety helmets, and seat belts are important factors in these accidents especially in our country. Lack of knowledge of safe driving by the drivers and more importantly, laxity of enforcement of safety rules by the appropriate agencies is a great contributor to these accidents on the road.

Use of alcohol and other drugs of abuse has reached alarming proportions. All body organs are affected and brain is no exception. Permanent damage to brain and development of epilepsy remains a distinct possibility. 

Another common cause of epilepsy that is adding the epilepsy burden in our country is the neurocysticercosis or the ‘brain-worm’ as it is commonly known as. The infection with this worm is acquired through eating unhygienic food especially from road-side vendors or other eateries where food is prepared under extremely unhygienic conditions. Either the food is contaminated from the beginning or the food handlers do not take adequate precaution. Avoiding eating at such places is the only way to save oneself from this infection by the brain-worm. 

Majority of the causes of brain damage and subsequent epilepsy are eminently preventable provided one is aware of these dangers and has adequate precautions are taken. Print and electronic media can take lead in spreading knowledge about these health issues to the general public. 

(Dr Jatinder Singh Goraya is Consultant Pediatric Neurologist, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital,

Ludhiana.)