National Epilepsy Day in India is 17 November. Epilepsy is a tendency to recurrent seizures. It is not contagious, it is not a character flaw, and it is not treated by putting an object in the mouth. Families help most by learning first aid, keeping medicine regular, and dropping the myths that keep people out of school and work.
Dr. Dheemanth Reddy, Consultant Neurologist at NeuMed Clinics, Nallagandla, Hyderabad, hears the same fears from families in Nallagandla, Gachibowli, and Kondapur: that epilepsy spreads, that marriage or study must stop, or that faith alone should replace tablets. Care works better when those ideas are corrected early.
Which epilepsy myths cause real harm?
- "It spreads by touch." It does not. Stay with the person. Do not isolate them afterwards.
- "Put a spoon or key in the mouth." Never. That injures teeth and the helper. Turn the person on their side and protect the head.
- "Hold them down." Do not. Clear nearby objects and time the seizure.
- "Stop the tablets once a month is quiet." Sudden stops can bring seizures back. Only a neurologist should plan a taper.
- "People with epilepsy cannot study or work." Many study, work, and raise families with a stable plan.
What is a seizure, in plain words?
A seizure is a brief surge of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It may look like stiffening and jerking, a blank stare, or confusion. Not every collapse is a seizure, and not every seizure means lifelong epilepsy. The history, sometimes a video from a witness, and selected tests separate fainting, low sugar, and epilepsy.
What should witnesses do?
- Time the episode.
- Ease the person away from danger and cushion the head.
- Do not put anything in the mouth and do not give water until they are fully awake.
- Call emergency services if it is a first seizure, lasts more than about five minutes, repeats quickly, or the person is injured, pregnant, or not waking.
What does follow-up in clinic add?
A neurologist confirms whether the events are seizures, looks for triggers such as missed sleep or missed doses, and decides if daily medicine is needed. Driving, swimming, and pregnancy planning are discussed individually. Bring the names of current tablets and a description from someone who saw the episode.
Is epilepsy contagious?
No. You cannot catch it by helping someone during a seizure or by sharing a meal.
Conclusion
Use National Epilepsy Day to replace fear with a plan. For seizure care in Nallagandla, Hyderabad, consult Dr. Dheemanth Reddy at NeuMed Clinics after any emergency has been handled.
Disclaimer:
This article corrects common myths. It does not diagnose epilepsy or replace emergency care for an active seizure.
Care related to this topic is available at NeuMed Clinics, Nallagandla, Hyderabad: seizure and epilepsy care and Dr. Dheemanth Reddy, Consultant Neurologist.
