“Epilepsy is more than seizures” is the motto of this year’s World Brain Day, 22 July.
“Epilepsy is more than seizures” is the motto of this year’s World Brain Day, 22 July.
This awareness campaign initiated by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) and staged all over the world every year on 22 July is dedicated to bringing more attention to the importance of brain health and the prevention of brain diseases.
This year, the Federation’s awareness efforts are supported also by the International Bureau for Epilepsy, the International League Against Epilepsy and the World Health Organization.
More than 50 million people worldwide live with epilepsy, but diagnostic and therapeutic resources are unequally distributed globally.
“Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological conditions. It is estimated to affect more than 50 million people around the world, and about 2.4 million people are newly diagnosed every year”, according to Dr Raad Shakir, President of the World Federation of Neurology.
“However, there is a lack of awareness in the public and among decision makers about the severe consequences for the individuals concerned, their families and societies.”
Shakir addressed this appeal to the public on the occasion of this year’s World Brain Day on 22 July. This awareness day was launched last year and will be dedicated to a different neurological disease or topic every year.
In 2015, the Federation is partnering with the World Health Organization, the International League Against Epilepsy and the International Bureau for Epilepsy in order to “bring greater visibility to this neglected condition”, as Shakir puts it.
“Just in terms of life years lost from sudden unexpected death, epilepsy ranks second only to stroke among major neurological diseases.
"Health care and research agendas at the global, regional and national level clearly need to recognise and take into account the seriousness of epilepsy and its consequences. We need joint efforts to ensure that resources are made available for alleviating the social, medical and economic burden borne by those with a condition that is among the most treatable brain condition.”
Social isolation
“At least half of the people with epilepsy worldwide could be easily treated with medicines which cost as little as five US dollars for one year of treatment.
"Apart from other causes of seizure-related mortality, an estimated 60 000 people die every year of sudden unexpected death related to epilepsy,” says Dr Emilio Perucca, President of the International League Against Epilepsy.
“In all societies, people with epilepsy often suffer more from neglect and social isolation than from the medical manifestation of the condition.
"Epilepsy is a condition that can have devastating consequences, affecting all aspects of life. Seizures severely affect the quality of life of people with epilepsy, often leading to social exclusion and depression, increasing the risk of suicide, and premature death. People with epilepsy are stigmatised and discriminated against in many social activities, in their education and employment."
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterised by recurrent seizures which are due to brief disturbances in the electrical functions of the brain with excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells.
The type of seizure depends on which area of the brain is involved.
A person having a seizure may experience an alteration in behaviour, consciousness, movement, perception and/or sensation.
In the majority of cases, the cause for the epileptic seizures is known, including origins such as genetic conditions, abnormalities in brain development, stroke, head injuries and brain trauma, infections, tumour or brain damage during or after delivery.
Adequate care
“The burden of illness is unevenly distributed, with some neurological disorders more common in different parts of the world. "Epilepsy is one of them. There are twice as many people affected by it in low-income countries”, Prof Wolfgang Grisold, Secretary General of the Federation, points out.
“Although great progress has been made in diagnosis and therapy of brain diseases and conditions, appalling disparities in the availability of treatment persist, with many people all over the world having either no access or inadequate access to neurological care."
Epilepsy is a dramatic example of such inequities.
Up to 70 percent of people with epilepsy can become seizure-free with antiepileptic drug treatments, but the proportion of people who remain untreated at any given time is more than 75 to 80 percent in most low-income countries although cost-effective treatments are available.
"In addition, in many countries health care providers do not have adequate training to recognize, diagnose or treat epilepsy.”
Epilepsy is more than seizures
“Epilepsy is more than seizures” is a well-chosen motto for this year’s World Brain Day, according to Dr Mohammad Wasay, Chair of the WFN’s Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee.
“Although epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological conditions and one of the oldest recognised conditions of the brain, there are a number of myths and misconceptions around it.
Stigma and discrimination, ignorance and fear cause social isolation and prevent people with epilepsy from seeking treatment.
"Epilepsy has never received the attention commensurate to its burden. In part this has been because many of the people affected work hard to hide the fact.
"They fear potential repercussions in many societies that have widespread and unfounded prejudices against people with epilepsy."
Talented, exceptional
Such prejudices are wrong, as is known today. Some of the most exceptionally creative and talented people in history have had epilepsy, including – to name just a few – Julius Caesar, Dante, Jeanne d’Arc, Isaac Newton, Molière, Napoleon Bonaparte, Gustave Flaubert, Niccolo Paganini, George Byron, Charles Dickens, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Vincent van Gogh, Lewis Caroll, Alfred Nobel, Agatha Christie and Richard Burton.
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