maithilivaze

Maithili Vaze

Epilepsy is a common and diverse set of chronic neurological disorders characterized by seizures.  It is a paroxysmal behavioral spell generally caused by an excessive disorderly discharge of cortical nerve cells of the brain and can range from clinically undetectable (electrographic seizures) to convulsions. Some definitions of epilepsy require that seizures be recurrent and unprovoked, but others require only a single seizure combined with brain alterations which increase the chance of future seizures. In many cases a cause cannot be identified; however, factors that are associated include brain trauma, strokes, brain cancer, and drug and alcohol misuse among others.

Epileptic seizures result from abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain. About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly 80% of epilepsy occurs in developing countries. Epilepsy becomes more common as people age. Onset of new cases occurs most frequently in infants and the elderly. Epileptic seizures may occur in recovering patients as a consequence of brain surgery.

Epilepsy is usually controlled, but not cured, with medication. However, more than 30% of people with epilepsy do not have seizure control even with the best available medications. Surgery may be considered in difficult cases. Not all epilepsy syndromes are lifelong – some forms are confined to particular stages of childhood. Epilepsy should not be understood as a single disorder, but rather as syndromic with vastly divergent symptoms, all involving episodic abnormal electrical activity in the brain and numerous seizures.

Hence to cope up with this, Dr Anand Nadkarni a famous Consultant Psychiatrist

and Managing Trustee, opened a center for the people with epilepsy, named Uttejan. Uttejan means Empowerment or Reinforcement. The word’ Uttejan’ is very apt for the members because it has reinforced & empowered number of members to cope up & be-friend with epilepsy and also incorporates in the mainstream.

November 19 is observed as World Epilepsy Day, whereas November 17 is observed as National Epilepsy Day.

Around 50 people have registered in this centre, wherein 25 people attend regularly. At Uttejan, all the doctors are willingly working for the betterment of the people with epilepsy and guide them with tips and precautions to be taken during fits.

Shubhangi Datar, sports counselor, and Vaidehi Bhide, admin staff at Uttejan have shown active participation of the people and helped them perform skits to create awareness among the public.

Vaidehi Bhide, admin staff at Uttejan said, “The IQ level of the people with epilepsy is very good and we have people of all age groups who have lot of hidden skills that we are trying to showcase. Children are also mentally retarded but have a strong sense of understanding.”

Since last 4 years Uttejan has come up with lot of activities like, a grand celebration of 1st Anniversary of the Uttejan group was held on February 6, 2011 in the presence of Dr. Anil Awachat and Dr. Anand Nadkarni as the chief guest, Art and Craft Workshop was held from October 2011 which made an effort to motivate the creativity in the members, Nov’ 2012-National Epilepsy Week was celebrated with a party & games by the members, To find a way towards stigma for people with epilepsy ,  A Social Project was initiated- ‘The Epilepsy School Awareness Programme’ across the schools of Thane:

1) Aatman Academy

2) D.A.V. School

3) Bedekar School (marathi medium)

4) Saraswati Vidyalaya (marathi medium)

The forthcoming Projects:

1) Uttejan looks forward to have a stall to showcase & sell the creative things prepared by the members, in the ‘VEDH’ organized by IPH.

2) The parady group musical skit of Uttejan Members would be performed in SANYOJAN event of IPH on Feb’ 2014.

3) The meetings of this group are held on 4th Sunday of every month at IPH, Thane. The Members are very enthusiastic and they actively interact in the meetings & participate in the different events. The members are very motivating & inspirational for the younger members of the group like senior members like C.V.Vartak and Ramesh Londhe.  They motivate the children by making them participate in the exhibitions and other events where the people with epilepsy can showcase their talent not in studies but in other hobbies.

Jyoti Badri, 42 year old girl facing epilepsy said, “Since the age of 4, I was suffering from meningitis, which then lead to epilepsy. As my health deteriorated, I could study only till std 11. Now I help my mother in the household work and engage myself in craft, art and origami. I have not joined any classes and treated under suggested Neurologist Dr Nathan who had given me a strict Ketogenic diet which I followed for almost 9 years. This diet has helped me come out of the problem and I am fine since past 3 years under 2-3 medicines. Dr Nathan also said that I am the one in hundreds who have followed the strict diet.”

Jyoti has been invited to conduct a workshop recently in the Inorbit mall at Malad.

Rahul Karandikar (25), now giving his 12^th said, “I have been facing since I was in 7^th std and have fallen down several times on the road. There was a knot like a brain tumor at the external surface on the right side temporal of the brain. No doctor was able to identify the root cause at the early stage. When later it was investigated, I had to get operated. But now I am fit and fine due to the grace of God. I have also done my animation course from Spark Pro.”

Causes of Epilepsy

1. Abnormal Electrical Discharge in Brain.
2. Brain Pathology e.g Tumour etc.
3. High Fever.
4. Birth Asphyxia.
5. Head Injury (fall/ accident)
6. Infections (eg. Meningitis/encephalitis)
7. Idiopathic (unknown)

Seizure (Epi) First Aid

• WHEN TO CALL A “DOCTOR”.

1. a) If Person with Epilepsy (PWE) is injured.
2. b) Person is Not Waking Up or has Difficulty Breathing.
3. c) Tongue is Cut & Bleeding is more.
4. d) Seizure Lasts for More than 5 minutes.
5. e) If More than 3 Consecutive Seizures Come.
6. f) The Person is Pregnant.

• Turn The Child To Any Side To Prevent Swallowing The Vomit.
• Stay With the Child.
• Until Seizure is over and they have recovered.
• Contact the Doctor as soon as Possible.
• If the child does not recover after 10 minutes.

• If a child gets a seizure in the school follow these 7 Steps.
• STAY CALM.
• Don’t try to stop the fit.
• Protect the Child.
• From Injury – Remove harmful objects nearby.

Do allow enough Air Circulation.

• Loosen tight Neckwear – Tie / Scarf.
• Do Not Put Anything In the Childs Mouth.

This is not contagious. Dr Mrunalini Palshikar, a homoeopath and community co-ordinator said, “The friends of the patients demotivate them and make them do things wrong. Sometimes they even neglect the people suffering from epilepsy and hence my suggestion to the peers is that, the patients need a moral support, hence support them rather than neglecting them and putting them in a grave problem ahead.”