Still on epilepsy….some people may have found out that a seizure is usually provoked by certain things or situations. These triggers include flashing bright lights, stress, sleep deprivation, during monthly menstrual cycle, certain foods, alcohol or certain drug use, poor feeding etc. Sometimes, it is not very easy to recognize these triggers if you are not looking out for them. So, paying attention to the ‘possible’ triggers is important so they can be avoided.

Treatment can range from taking drugs to surgery…or perhaps other forms of treatment. These drugs can either get a person to the point where they never have seizures again or to the point where they have fewer seizures. But please, do not discontinue the drugs. This can be done only with your doctor’s advice as it has to be timed right.

To cope with this long term, ensure that drugs are taken as prescribed and discuss with your doctor if you feel dose needs to be amended. Get enough sleep and generally avoid other triggers of seizures, exercise regularly and make healthy lifestyle choices.

If you are not epileptic or if you don’t know anyone with epilepsy, you probably don’t think you have an action point here. But you do! Epileptics suffer all manners of indignity. They are accused of witchcraft, their feet are burned to get rid of the witchcraft etc. But none of this is true. Help spread the story that epilepsy is NOT witchcraft, is not contagious and epileptics are normal human beings who have suffered enough exclusion and need our love, support and care. We need to teach our children this too as epileptics in schools suffer severe emotional, mental and oftentimes, physical torture/bullying from other kids in school. This could very well be because their parents have told them to steer clear of any child with a seizure. You and I can change this!

If you are an epileptic…it may not look like it right now, but guess what? There is most certainly light at the end of this tunnel!

Have a great day y’all