Epilepsy awareness week starts; DOH seeks compassion for epileptics

The Department of Health over the weekend called for compassion instead of discrimination in dealing with people suffering from epilepsy. DOH Secretary Enrique Ona made the appeal in a statement as the nation observes National Epilepsy Awareness Week on September 1 to 7. Epilepsy is a medical condition that sometimes results in seizures caused by hyperactive and disorganized electrical activity of the brain. "However, more than their medical condition, [people with epilepsy] are also faced with the non-medical problem of discrimination in education, employment, social acceptance, and extreme poverty,"  said the DOH. “Epileptic persons deserve a place in our society. Let us be compassionate of their health conditions,” Ona added. According to the health secretary, people with epilepsy can die of seizures and related-causes, including non-stop seizures, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy [SUDEP], drowning and other accidents. "Regular medication and check-ups are vital as 20%-30% of PWEs are severely affected and continue to have seizures despite treatment. Lack of knowledge about proper first aid procedures during seizure exposes affected individuals to injury, especially from objects that are needlessly forced into the mouth," the DOH said. For this year's National Epilepsy Awareness Week, the DOH adopted the theme "Epilepsy ABC: Awareness Begins in Communities (Kaya Natin ‘To!)." It "underscores the need to promote epilepsy awareness and inclusion of (persons with epilepsy) in various levels of engagement like health, education, welfare, and development through community-centered activities," said the DOH. Ona cited a study by the National Nutrition and Health Survey, published in 2003, which said there were 230 persons with epilepsy per 100,000 populations in the Philippines. "Epilepsy is the second most common consultation with a neurologist, second to stroke." Ona said epilepsy is more common among the very young and the very old, with people with epilepsy having a mortality rate two to three times higher than the general population. — DVM, GMA News