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Epilepsy 'is a global health problem' | Epilepsy 'is a global health problem' |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Epilepsy is twice as common in low and middle-income countries as it is in the developed world, according to an international team of researchers. | Epilepsy is twice as common in low and middle-income countries as it is in the developed world, according to an international team of researchers. |
They say the higher incidence is linked to increased risk factors, including head injuries and infections such as pork tapeworm and river blindness. | They say the higher incidence is linked to increased risk factors, including head injuries and infections such as pork tapeworm and river blindness. |
And more than 60% of sufferers in those countries receive no appropriate treatment, they href="http://www.thelancet.com/themed/epilepsy" >say in the Lancet. | |
A Lancet editorial said epilepsy had to be a global health priority. | A Lancet editorial said epilepsy had to be a global health priority. |
Epilepsy is a condition in which disturbances to the brain's normal electrical activity cause recurring seizures or brief episodes of altered consciousness. | Epilepsy is a condition in which disturbances to the brain's normal electrical activity cause recurring seizures or brief episodes of altered consciousness. |
There are about 40 different types. Epilepsy is not a mental illness, but can develop after injury or damage to the brain. | There are about 40 different types. Epilepsy is not a mental illness, but can develop after injury or damage to the brain. |
About 85% of the global burden of epilepsy occurs in low and middle-income countries. | About 85% of the global burden of epilepsy occurs in low and middle-income countries. |
'Bewitched' | 'Bewitched' |
Writing in the Lancet, researchers led by Prof Charles Newton, of the University of Oxford, say the death rate in developing countries is much higher than in developed ones - and that the reason for this is likely to be a failure to treat people with the condition. | Writing in the Lancet, researchers led by Prof Charles Newton, of the University of Oxford, say the death rate in developing countries is much higher than in developed ones - and that the reason for this is likely to be a failure to treat people with the condition. |
Prof Newton said: "The burden of epilepsy in these regions is at least double that found in high-income countries, and sadly, adequate facilities for diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of epilepsy are virtually non-existent in many of the world's poorest regions." | Prof Newton said: "The burden of epilepsy in these regions is at least double that found in high-income countries, and sadly, adequate facilities for diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of epilepsy are virtually non-existent in many of the world's poorest regions." |
He added: "Many people with epilepsy or their families do not even know that they have a disorder that can be controlled with biomedical treatment, so it is vitally important that awareness is raised and medical care improved in these regions." | He added: "Many people with epilepsy or their families do not even know that they have a disorder that can be controlled with biomedical treatment, so it is vitally important that awareness is raised and medical care improved in these regions." |
Medications are available - but there can be problems distributing them, especially to remote areas. | Medications are available - but there can be problems distributing them, especially to remote areas. |
The researchers say there are low-cost ways of improving the situation and of reducing the stigma often faced by people with epilepsy and their families - such as working with traditional healers and awareness campaigns to increase understanding of the condition. | The researchers say there are low-cost ways of improving the situation and of reducing the stigma often faced by people with epilepsy and their families - such as working with traditional healers and awareness campaigns to increase understanding of the condition. |
In some countries, traditional beliefs about the causes of the condition, including bewitchment, spiritual causes and curses, lead to stigma and increase the chance that a person with epilepsy will not get the treatment they need. | In some countries, traditional beliefs about the causes of the condition, including bewitchment, spiritual causes and curses, lead to stigma and increase the chance that a person with epilepsy will not get the treatment they need. |
A Lancet editorial adds: "Given the prevalence of epilepsy globally, it should be included as a priority on the public health agenda, and access to treatment should be greatly improved in developing countries. | A Lancet editorial adds: "Given the prevalence of epilepsy globally, it should be included as a priority on the public health agenda, and access to treatment should be greatly improved in developing countries. |
"It is time for all governments to take epilepsy more seriously." | "It is time for all governments to take epilepsy more seriously." |
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