International Epilepsy Day is celebrated on 26 March
30 years ago, patients with epilepsy were treated by psychiatrists. The disease is still stigmatized, and a lot of myths have developed around it. Doctor of Medical Sciences, chief visiting specialist — pediatric neurologist of the Volga Federal District Elena Morozova and Candidate of Medical Sciences Dmitry Morozov - epileptologist held a press conference about this disease. Lilac, lavender color is considered therapeutic, soothing, and it has become a symbol of the International Epilepsy Day.
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease characterized by repeated, mostly unprovoked seizures. As a rule, the disease begins either in early childhood, or occurs in old age. Up to 75% of cases of epilepsy are diagnosed before the age of 20. 1 per 100 children is diagnosed with epilepsy, and 5% of people have had seizures (at least once in their life). About 60 million people in the world have epilepsy.
Dmitry Morozov: "Epilepsy is a chronic disease. But incurable disease is one of the main myths about it. In 75% of patients, epilepsy is well controlled. We can achieve the absence of seizures and lead the disease to remission. Only 30% of patients do not respond to medical treatment. But we can exempt 10% of patients from seizures with the help of surgical treatment. And this is quite a large percentage, and doctors should remember this.
There is no reason for frequent hospitalizations of such patients, and the need to stay in the hospital every six months is a stereotype. Ideally, a person with epilepsy should get a proper basic therapy, and the only reminder of his disease is taking a pill once a day.