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Shed myths attached with epilepsy: Experts
New Delhi, Nov 16: Keeping in view the myths and superstitions attached with epilepsy in the country which worsens the problem to a great extent, experts have asked for a sustained campaign to create public awareness on the issue.
New Delhi, Nov 16: Keeping in view the myths and
superstitions attached with epilepsy in the country which
worsens the problem to a great extent, experts have asked for
a sustained campaign to create public awareness on the issue.
The neurological disorder is a major public health
problem all over the world but due to the myths attached here
it assumes greater significance and requires sustained
campaign to shed the misinformation, head of the Department of
Neurology at G B Pant Hospital, Dr Vinod Puri, told reporters.
The neurological disorder, caused by an abnormal electrical excitability in the brain which generally comes from a focus and results in involuntary movement of body parts, requires public awareness at a war footing, he said.
The disorder was also wrongly believed to be infectious or an invasion by a supernatural spirit especially in rural areas which worsens the problem to a great extent, head of the department of neurology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Professor Manjari Behari, said.
"People tend to isolate the patients as much as possible from a normal life. Children with epilepsy are often excluded from the school despite in majority of cases their being mentally normal," she said.
There was a need to educate people about the disease and shed the myths prevailing in the society so as to mitigate the sufferings of not only the patients but their families as well, she said.
Bureau Report
The neurological disorder, caused by an abnormal electrical excitability in the brain which generally comes from a focus and results in involuntary movement of body parts, requires public awareness at a war footing, he said.
The disorder was also wrongly believed to be infectious or an invasion by a supernatural spirit especially in rural areas which worsens the problem to a great extent, head of the department of neurology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Professor Manjari Behari, said.
"People tend to isolate the patients as much as possible from a normal life. Children with epilepsy are often excluded from the school despite in majority of cases their being mentally normal," she said.
There was a need to educate people about the disease and shed the myths prevailing in the society so as to mitigate the sufferings of not only the patients but their families as well, she said.
Bureau Report