A Senior Consultant Neurologist, Institute of Neurosciences, Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India, Prof. Pushpendra Renjen, has said that patients suffering from epilepsy can lead normal lives if they use the right drugs.

 

Renjen said this at a programme organised by the Apollo Hospital in collaboration with the Diamond Helix Medical Assistance Limited in Lagos.

 

According to him, epilepsy patients are facing challenges due to poor diagnosis and lack of access to the right care and drugs.

 

Renjen added, “Many epileptic patients in Nigeria today do not get treatment due to the myths and misconception surrounding the disorder.

 

“But we must educate people that if one picks the disorder early, at least 75 per cent of such cases can be managed with the right drugs.”

 

Renjen, who said that there was no permanent cure for epilepsy, added that right diagnosis and drugs would positively assist the patients.

 

The neurologist also noted surgery treatment was of immense help for people with uncontrolled epilepsy.

 

 

He added, “A Deep Brain Stimulation can be used to treat patient. DBS is a surgery technique, which involves implanting electrodes inside the deep nuclei of brain called subthalamus under local anesthesia.

 

“With the progress of disease, the parameters of stimulation are changed over a period of time so that patients can remain symptom free for a long period”.

 

Renjen also noted that Apollo Hospital had carried out 100 DBS procedures and 20 out of the patients were Nigerians.

 

He said, “Rechargeable Pacemakers are now available that can be recharged at home. The life of these pace makers are 15-20 years. However, there is no cure; there can be 75 per cent control in the patients. If your diagnosis and drugs are right, 75 per cent will go into long time rendition and they will not have attack for the rest of their lives.”

 

BY: BUKOLA ADEBAYO

THE PUNCH