Epilepsy must be treated early

Contrary to common perception that epilepsy is untreatable, a health expert said epileptic children have a good chance of getting cured from the neurological illness if they will be given proper and early treatment.

Dr. Leonor Cabral-Lim, president of the Philippine League Against Epilepsy (PLAE), said it is important to treat epilepsy at a young age.

"Epilepsy, depending on the case, can be treated in two to five years or it cannot be treated at all... The benefits of treatment outweighs the risk of not being treated," she said.

The cost of medicines for epilepsy ranges from P3,000 to P9,000 a month. This does not include medical consultations and diagnostic tests.

It is estimated that 230 of every 100,000 Filipinos have epilepsy. This translates into over 18,000 cases if the country’s population of 82 million is considered.

Lim said epilepsy ranks second to stroke as the most common neurological illness affecting Filipinos. It could be hereditary or caused by birth injury and severe head trauma, among other reasons.

And since those with epilepsy can experience seizure any moment, they are not issued driver’s licenses under the Land Transportation Code.

Despite such restriction, Lim said epileptics could still live a normal life if they will follow proper medication and seizure control system.

She added that seizures could be minimized if a patient would avoid unnecessarily stressing himself or herself out, drinking of Alcohol and going to bed late.

The PLAE and the Department of Health is set to launch a nationwide search for a role model for epileptics in observance of the National Epilepsy Awareness Week next week.

"We are looking for patients who have good seizure control, who comply with their medical treatment, who have positive attitude toward their condition that allows them to live a normal life and who have academic or professional achievements," Lim said.

A P10,000 prize and a trophy await the winner.