Epileptics are not demonic
Apr 26, 2010
EPILEPSY is a brain disorder in which a cluster of nerve cells or neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions and behaviour. These may at times comprise convulsions, muscle spasms and loss of consciousness.
By Titus Kakembo
EPILEPSY is a brain disorder in which a cluster of nerve cells or neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions and behaviour. These may at times comprise convulsions, muscle spasms and loss of consciousness.
Epilepsy is a disease as old as the Bible. In this era, archaic beliefs still keep the people with such conditions stigmatised. In Gulu, an epileptic is traditionally not allowed to carry a baby. It is believed that if he sneezes, the little one gets infected. In other societies, epileptic conditions are interpreted as punishment for sins committed by one’s ancestors.
According to Ndyahika Dickson of the Epilepsy Sufferers Association in Uganda (ESAU), there are about 500 registered epileptic patients countrywide.
“But there are many more whose condition is not talked about,†he says.
Unfortunately, instead of getting the right treatment, epileptic patients are taken to witchdoctors in preference of conventional medical care.
People who suffer from epilepsy face many problems. Some have been dismissed from their jobs for fear of increasing medical bills and absenteeism when they fall sick. Schools and higher institutions of learning are not any better. When one gets an attack, teachers and students often flee. The situation is made worse if the patient happens to pass urine during a seizure or ooze blood after biting the tongue. There are those known to speak with a slur, intelligibly repeat certain phrases, blink endlessly, scratch or hit themselves hard. These actions are often confused with one being intoxicated by alcohol or having gone berserk.
According to statistics from ESAU, 10 out of every 100 people in Uganda have epilepsy. Ndyahika said 70% of patients who visit mental health clinics are diagnosed with epilepsy.
In some circles, epilepsy is considered a shame not worth talking about. But Ndyahika asserts that it is a normal medical condition that can be managed with proper medication.
According to brochures available at ESAU, there are different forms of epilepsy. These include: Jackson Fit, where one experiences movements in some parts of one’s body — the person remains conscious. After recovery, there is temporary loss of sensation in the affected limb.
The other form of epilepsy is when one gets irritation in the abdomen before it spreads to the chest or neck. In this type of epilepsy, one sees hallucinations, hears imaginary sounds and sniffs bad odours. After the aura, one loses consciousness.
Sheila Ndyabangi, the programme officer at Ministry of Health, says 50% of epilepsy patient’s die of seizures and other related causes annually. Figures from the World Health Organisation estimate that two to three people are likely to suffer from epilepsy in any developing country during their entire lifetime.
Symptoms of a pending attack include: Staring spells, muscle spasms, convulsions and recurrent seizures, several attacks in a day, mood disorders and depression.
“Seizures can be controlled with modern medicines that are available in most hospitals. With treatment, one can live a productive life. All it takes are anti-convulsions that cost between sh10,000 and sh50,000, depending on one’s prescription,†says Ndyahika.
EPILEPSY is a brain disorder in which a cluster of nerve cells or neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions and behaviour. These may at times comprise convulsions, muscle spasms and loss of consciousness.
Epilepsy is a disease as old as the Bible. In this era, archaic beliefs still keep the people with such conditions stigmatised. In Gulu, an epileptic is traditionally not allowed to carry a baby. It is believed that if he sneezes, the little one gets infected. In other societies, epileptic conditions are interpreted as punishment for sins committed by one’s ancestors.
According to Ndyahika Dickson of the Epilepsy Sufferers Association in Uganda (ESAU), there are about 500 registered epileptic patients countrywide.
“But there are many more whose condition is not talked about,†he says.
Unfortunately, instead of getting the right treatment, epileptic patients are taken to witchdoctors in preference of conventional medical care.
People who suffer from epilepsy face many problems. Some have been dismissed from their jobs for fear of increasing medical bills and absenteeism when they fall sick. Schools and higher institutions of learning are not any better. When one gets an attack, teachers and students often flee. The situation is made worse if the patient happens to pass urine during a seizure or ooze blood after biting the tongue. There are those known to speak with a slur, intelligibly repeat certain phrases, blink endlessly, scratch or hit themselves hard. These actions are often confused with one being intoxicated by alcohol or having gone berserk.
According to statistics from ESAU, 10 out of every 100 people in Uganda have epilepsy. Ndyahika said 70% of patients who visit mental health clinics are diagnosed with epilepsy.
In some circles, epilepsy is considered a shame not worth talking about. But Ndyahika asserts that it is a normal medical condition that can be managed with proper medication.
According to brochures available at ESAU, there are different forms of epilepsy. These include: Jackson Fit, where one experiences movements in some parts of one’s body — the person remains conscious. After recovery, there is temporary loss of sensation in the affected limb.
The other form of epilepsy is when one gets irritation in the abdomen before it spreads to the chest or neck. In this type of epilepsy, one sees hallucinations, hears imaginary sounds and sniffs bad odours. After the aura, one loses consciousness.
Sheila Ndyabangi, the programme officer at Ministry of Health, says 50% of epilepsy patient’s die of seizures and other related causes annually. Figures from the World Health Organisation estimate that two to three people are likely to suffer from epilepsy in any developing country during their entire lifetime.
Symptoms of a pending attack include: Staring spells, muscle spasms, convulsions and recurrent seizures, several attacks in a day, mood disorders and depression.
“Seizures can be controlled with modern medicines that are available in most hospitals. With treatment, one can live a productive life. All it takes are anti-convulsions that cost between sh10,000 and sh50,000, depending on one’s prescription,†says Ndyahika.