Epilepsy is one condition or disease that occurs in the brain, or scientifically, in neurology. It is a condition that interferes with a brain cell, especially in its messaging system. However, it is important to emphasize that this disease is considered non-communicable. The conditions happened to 50 million people worldwide. Meanwhile, Indonesia dominated 1,5-2,4 million of it back then in 2013, with about 20 percentage epilepsy conditions not cured.
Dr. Fajar Maskuri, M.Sc., Sp.S., as the UGM Neuroscientist of Academic Hospital (RSA), revealed that the rumor about contagious epilepsy was still widely spreading, and it causes people to be reluctant to help the patients. "Neurological disease is not contagious. If we help, it won't transmit through the spit or skin contact. Help them while they are experiencing recurrent seizures." Fajar said in the webinar entitled "Be Productive and Reproductive during Pandemic," held by UGM Academic Hospital Webinar on Wednesday (7/3) as the commemoration of International Epilepsy Day.
One fact that is important to be discovered is that this disease can still be cured if it gets the right treatment. "A quick response is necessary because the more a patient experiences sudden seizures, means there are more interferences with the nerves. Therefore, it soon needs precise treatment from a neurologist doctor. Another rumor said that people who had epilepsy should not have married cause it will affect its generation. "In fact, the patients still can marry. However, there should be monitors from a neurologist and obstetrician for pregnant women," he explained.
Dr. Atitya Fitri Khairani, M.Sc., Sp.S (K), a neurologist doctor from Sardjito Hospital, also conveyed a similar thing. She said that epilepsy patients must routinely take their medicines. "An excessive electrical charge occurs when they experience seizures. It is non-contagious, but it requires intensive and long-term treatment," she concluded.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photo: jw.org