Wow! I couldn't stop staring at the figure sitting at the opposite end of the table at the cafeteria my friends had taken me to for lunch.
He had the most beautiful body, a strong cheek bone and a smooth skin and he was wearing blue shirt, my favorite color. Suddenly I started feeling uncomfortable. I was itching to walk up to his table and start a conversation. Occasionally, he glanced at his watch. I was jealous. Who was the lucky lady he must be waiting for? Suddenly, his facial expression which though wasn't smiley, turned to frown. And later something more serious than that. I was shocked. Am I the only person seeing this?
What's happening to my stranger crush?
Oh my God, he was going into seizure. Little wonder, he was epileptic. Seems like he saw it coming. That explained the every second watch glances and the non smiling face.
What is epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which the brain functions and activities become abnormal or impaired causing seizures or periods of unusual or abnormal behaviors and loss of awareness.
Epilepsy affects both male and female of all ethnicity, race, ages and background.
Epileptic seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some can simply stare at blank space for few seconds, while others repeatedly twitch their arms and legs.
Africans view of epilepsy
In Africa, persons with epilepsy are shunned and discriminated against in education, employment and marriage because epilepsy is often perceived as a shameful disease in the eyes of the general public. Epilepsy is also traditionally looked on as a curse by the ancestral spirits or attributed to possession by evil spirits. It is also thought to be due to witchcraft and "poisoning," and often thought to be highly contagious.>
Treatment
Medical treatments or sometimes surgery can control seizures for majority of epileptic patients. Some require life long treatment to control seizures but for some people, the seizures goes away eventually ,and sometimes, some children outgrows epilepsy as time goes on (with age ).
Symptoms
Epilepsy since caused by abnormal activities in the brain, seizures can affect any process the coordinates.
Seizures signs and symptoms are numerous and sometimes not in all cases includes;
a. A staring spell
b. Uncontrollable jerking of arms
and legs
c. Loss of consciousness or
awareness
d. Temporary confusion
e. Psychic symptoms such as
fear, anxiety or illusion
Note:
These symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure.
Complications
Having seizures at certain moments or times can lead to events or circumstances that are harmful to oneself or others around.
Falling
If an epileptic patient falls during seizure, injuries like bone breakage or head may be sustained.
Drowning
Seizures can lead to drowning during bathing or swimming.
Car accident
Pregnancy complications
Emotional health issues
Causes of epilepsy
Genetic influence:
Some epilepsy runs in the family. In such case, it is likely that there is genetic influence.
Some epilepsy have been linked to specific genes by researchers. These genes may make a person more sensitive to environmental conditions that trigger seizures.
Head trauma; which might be caused by car accident.
Brain conditions
Brain tumors
Strokes; mostly in adults older than age 35
Infectious diseases like meningitis, AIDS,
Pre-natal injury; Before birth, some babies tend to be sensitive to brain damage that could be caused by several factors like infection in the mother, poor dietary or oxygen insufficiency. This brain damage can lead to cerebral palsy or palsy.
I didn't know that epilepsy is considered as a shameful disease in Africa. It is really a feared condition for the observers to witness an active seizure but he/she shouldn't run away from the victim considering him as possession of evil spirits or ancestors. The victims need medical attention and everybody should ensure that the victim gets it ASAP. Epilepsy is just like another disease, nothing else.
A nice post about epilepsy or seizure. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much
And yes it is considered shameful in africa
It has even stopped so many marriages
And so many people from getting certain positions of authority like kingship and others in Africa
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