In a statement made within the scope of 14 February World Epilepsy Day, the Turkish Association for Combating Epilepsy drew attention to the fact that epilepsy does not prevent a healthy life and that epilepsy patients and their relatives have to struggle with social prejudices rather than the disease.
ONE MILLION EPILEPSY PATIENTS LIVE IN TURKEY
Stating that the human brain consists of approximately 100 billion cells and has a very complex but unique function that cannot even be compared with computers, President of the Turkish Association for Combating Epilepsy, Prof. Dr. Nerses Bebek, “Epilepsy, also known as ‘epilepsy disease’ among the people, is due to short-term brain dysfunction and occurs as a result of temporary abnormal electrical spread in the brain cells. Epilepsy, which is the most common neurological disease in the world, mostly progresses in intermittent seizures or crises. About 1 million individuals with epilepsy live in our country and about 70 percent of patients have seizures under control.
MEANINGFUL SUPPORT FROM FURKAN ANDIC
Explaining that they aim to continue the Look for Epilepsy awareness campaign until the prejudices in the society disappear, Prof. Dr. Bebek stated that the famous actor Furkan Andıç voluntarily supported the campaign this year.
EPILEPSY IS LIKE EARTHQUAKE
He underlined that we may encounter an individual who has an epileptic seizure on the bus, on the subway, at school or at work, but that one out of every two people in our country does not know how to intervene in a patient who has an epileptic seizure.
DO NOT SMELL ON ONIONS TO THOSE WHO HAVE EPILEPSY SEIZURE
President of the Turkish Association for Combating Epilepsy Prof. Dr. Nerses Bebek summarized how the first aid should be given to patients with epileptic seizures under 10 headings:
Be absolutely calm, the patient may have a loss of consciousness, place the patient in a safe environment or, if possible, place him in a safe place.
If his mouth is closed, do not try to open it if he has clenched his teeth. If your teeth are open; Place a substance that will not harm the patient’s teeth, such as the edge of your sweater, the tip of a wooden spoon, the leather part of your bag or belt, checking that you do not block the patient’s throat between his teeth.
Remember that the patient is unconscious and do not try to stop or hinder their movements.
If there are sharp or hard objects around that may injure him, protect the patient by keeping them away.
If he is wearing glasses, remove his glasses. Loosen tight clothing such as ties or belts.
For easy breathing, tilt it to the side and let the mouth secretions flow out.
During the seizure; Do not try to drink medicine or water.
Do not make the patient who has difficulty breathing during the seizure smell onion or cologne.
Often after a seizure the person is tired and does not know what they are doing, so be as calm and reassuring as you can at this stage.
During the seizure, carefully monitor the movements of the individual and inform the doctor and patient relatives. Video recording of the seizure makes it very easy for the doctor to determine the diagnosis and treatment method.