Around the world, health organizations are raising awareness of epilepsy on International Epilepsy Day, observed annually on the second Monday of February. This chronic neurological condition affects approximately 50 million people globally, yet remains shrouded in misunderstanding and stigma.
Epileptic seizures can manifest in a variety of ways, including involuntary tremors, convulsions, uncontrolled gestures, speech disturbances, drooling and even visual hallucinations. These dramatic displays can be frightening for both the individual experiencing the seizure and those witnessing it.
International Epilepsy Day serves as a crucial opportunity to shed light on this age-old condition – with evidence of its existence dating back to 4000 B.C. – and address the disparities in care. According to the World Health Organization, 80% of individuals with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries, where they often face stigmatization and discrimination, hindering access to diagnosis and treatment.
What causes epilepsy? What steps should be taken during a seizure? What treatment options are available for this neurological disorder? When is surgery a viable option? And how can individuals live fulfilling lives even as managing epilepsy? These are just some of the questions being addressed during this year’s awareness efforts.
With:
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Pr Michel Baulac, Professor of Neurology at Sorbonne Université. Former Head of Neurology at the Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris. Consultant at the Ambroise Paré Hartmann hospital group. Former Vice-President of the International League Against EpilepsyÂ
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Pr Josué Diatewa, neurologist at the University Hospital of Brazzaville. Researcher at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Marien Ngouabi University in Brazzaville, Congo.Â
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At the conclude of the program, we will hear from Binetou Cheikh Seck, a nutritionist-dietitian at the Nutridéal Dietetic Practice in Dakar, Senegal, with a nutrition segment.
â–º All segments are available here.
Musical programming:Â
â–º Souad Massi (feat Gaël Faye) – D’ici de là -bas Â
â–º Cyril Mokaiesh – La vérité des baisersÂ
