KARACHI, July 9 (APP): An estimated 100,000 people in Karachi suffer from epilepsy. However, a survey conducted in urban areas has found that only a quarter of these seek medical advice, Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, Consultant Neurologist, Aga Khan University (AKU) informed the audience at the Epilepsy Day seminar held at AKU to raise public awareness.

‘A huge stigma surrounds this disease in the country. Women and children suffer most due to the embarrassment and misconceptions associated with epilepsy’, she elaborated.

It was pointed out that Epilepsy is a largely misunderstood neurological dysfunction that causes electrical discharges in the form of symptomatic seizures.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it affects 50 million people globally at any time.

The Epilepsy Foundation adds that 10 per cent of all adults will have a seizure at some point in their lives; however the disease is usually labelled by two or more seizures.

A large portion of Epilepsy Day at AKU was devoted to the treatment options for epilepsy as the WHO estimates that up to 70 per cent of people who receive treatment respond successfully to it.

Dr Mughis Sheerani, Consultant Neurologist, AKU, highlighted the epilepsy programme offered at the University Hospital.

This programme offers comprehensive treatment of epilepsy including evaluation of those patients for epilepsy surgery who have failed medical treatment options.

In addition to a high-tech and modern Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, the staff analyses and helps manage seizures using a Video EEG service.

Video EEG at AKU is one of the first and rare services of its kind offered in Pakistan, also used to coordinate epilepsy surgery.

Dr Mughis Sheerani told the audience that the first epilepsy surgery at AKUH through this programme, was successfully performed this week.

Dr Nizam Ahmed, Consultant Neurologist, University of Alberta, Canada, emphasised that there are several treatment options available for epilepsy and up to 70 per cent can be easily controlled given proper diagnosis and treatment.

Those patients that are not controlled well with medications have other options like surgery.

To elaborate on the subject, Dr Syed Athar Enam added specifics on the ‘Treatment of Epilepsy through Surgery’.

This procedure involves surgical removal of areas of the brain that cause frequent seizures. It has been an ulterior form of treatment for half a century when prescribed drugs have failed, and is now in greater use due to improved technology.

Dr Abdul Wahab Yousafzai, Consultant Psychiatrist, AKU, discussed the psychological impact of epilepsy on patients and families. Living with this neurological disorder causes difficulty in adjusting at work or at home, so it is important to consider the personal impact it can have on a patient and promote an environment where people affected by epilepsy can lead healthy and happy lives.

Following the lectures, the speakers alongwith panelists Dr Bhojo Khealani, Consultant Neurologist, AKU and Dr Warren W. Boling, visiting Neurosurgeon from West Virginia University, answered questions from the audience and closed on a hopeful note that people had increased awareness of the risks and treatments of epilepsy.

It was further pointed out that the AKUH organises such programmes as part of its outreach programme and societal commitment of creating awareness of early diagnosis and timely treatment.