THEUNEDIDE 10 February is celebrated the International day for epilepsy, disease that affects over 50 million people all over the world and on which many prejudices still weigh today.
We talked about it with the Dr. Laura CanafogliaNeurologist responsible for the Simple integrated epilentological diagnostic structure ofCarlo Besta Neurological Institute and coordinator of the Lombardy Regional Section of Italian League against epilepsy (high school).
Epilepsy can express itself in very different forms. Is it more correct to speak of epilepsies to the plural?
Absolutely yes. Epilepsy is very varied in patients and the first distinction to be made is that between generalized forms and focal forms.
The generalized forms, more common in children
The generalized forms involve from the beginning both cerebral hemispheres and are characterized by what we call absence crisisespecially typical ofinfantile age. Then there are generalized epileptic crisis, more intense, called tonic-clonic in which the patient suddenly loses knowledge and can also fall on the ground with subsequent shocks throughout the body. The crisis usually follows a particularly long period of confusion.
70% of patients who respond positively to therapy (Getty Images)
Focal forms concern adults
Focal crises, on the other hand, are more common in adulthood and they begin in a circumscribed area of the brain And – in some cases – they spread to other brain areas. May be symptomatic or non -symptomatic.
In most cases, the crises occur suddenly, but in others they are preceded by the subject in the form of particular sensations. Usually patients Forgiveness awareness (awareness)but often a complete motor and psychic blocking does not occur and the body continues to move with automatism. This phenomenon can end with a short post-critical phase or it can complicate by evolving in a bilateral tonic-clonic crisis similar to the form of generalized epilepsy.
How do you take care of epilepsy?
The first approach to the treatment of epilepsy is pharmacological, therefore based on the use of Specific drugs (anti -crisis). Despite the objective of the pharmacological research applied to the clinic, it remains to be able to find the ideal anti -crisis drug, those currently on the market give good results with a 70% of patients who respond positively to therapy.
What is epilepsy surgery
Then there is a percentage of pharmacoresisty patients for whom other methods of care are taken into consideration, such as the surgical treatment (epilepsy surgery) – typically used in temporal epilepsy – which can lead to healing in more than 90% of cases.
However, not all patients can be operated on. It is necessary to define the area of origin of the crises and, once identified, evaluate whether it is possible to proceed with surgery. Sometimes the area where the crisis originates constitutes an important and irreplaceable area of the brain and therefore does not allow to proceed with the surgical removal of that group of neurons that gives rise to epilepsy.
In which directions is the pharmacological research going?
Studies in the genetic field, thanks to the advancement of technology, are helping us to better classify epilepsy by identifying their causes more precisely. This, with every good possibility, will allow us to treat some forms of epilepsy by acting precisely on their cause.
What are immunomedic epilepsy forms of epilepsy
Another vein of research concerns the forms of immunomedic epilepsythat is, forms resulting from immunological pathology. Also in this case you are working to identify markers that allow you to treat epilepsy through the use of immunomodulating therapies.
Neuromodulation techniques
Another frontier of research – who aims above all to those patients who do not respond to drugs and at the same time cannot undergo surgery – concerns neuromodulation techniques with the application of special arrangements of brain stimulation deep that could lead to a reduction in crises.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2i1vb9fiss
What do you need to know to give assistance to those who have an epileptic crisis?
If you know how to act you don’t have to be afraid of an epileptic crisis. First of all, we recommend trying to stay calm. Agitation and panic are to be avoided.
- If possible we suggest place something soft under the patient’s head of the patient To exclude that it is hurt and prevent a head injury from occurring.
- If the conditions allow it it is always good Turn the person on the side To make the liquids better flow from the mouth and prevent the tongue from going backwards.
- It is important Do not insert objects in the mouth Since, if a crisis occurs, the patient tends to tighten it and – his forcing – could be dangerous, both for the patient’s mandibular articulation and for the people who intervene.
- The most important thing is do not force, stop or block a person, but to supervise it so that it does not hurt And offer your help when the crisis ends.
- In the event that the crisis lasts More than five minutes it is important call an ambulance immediately.
How important is it to raise public awareness of the disease?
Raising awareness of citizens with respect to epilepsy is fundamental because the disease has a very relevant social aspect. This pathology is often associated with an anxious-depressive syndrome due to the uncertainty of not knowing when, for example, a crisis can occur.
Because purple is the symbol of epilepsy
We are happy that, on the occasion of the International Epilepsy day, Palazzo Lombardia will be illuminated for 4 hours of viola which is the symbol of this disease. Viola is the most complex color of the chromatic scale e It symbolizes the desire to tighten a bond by breaking down the stigma and prejudice towards epilepsy.
But not only that, in some hospitals in the Region, thanks to the commitment of the Scientific Society Lice, they will be installed Viola benches. An invitation to sit down to listen and understand even more deeply the daily challenges experienced by patients with epilepsy and their families. From the listening phase the hope of a change can arise, symbolized in the poster of the international day from the beating of butterflies.
The Carlo Besta Institute is the first Italian hospital in the world for neurology and neurosurgery
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