The City is encouraging people to use their local clinics to find out more about epilepsy

RELATED LINKS: Joburg steps up fight against TB A CROWD of people marches towards the Orlando East Communal Hall in Soweto singing "TB siyanqoba", TB will be conquered; they are part of a church-linked group that assists the Directly Observed Treatment Strategy or Dots programme. Read more Breast cancer under spotlight IT MIGHT be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but Johannesburg is extending its awareness campaigns until the end of the year. Read more Health WHILE the City of Johannesburg is responsible for some aspects of health services, many are still rendered by the Gauteng provincial government. But there are plans afoot to devolve more and more of these services to the City. Read more

Get help during Epilepsy Awareness Week The City's health department has launched a public awareness campaign about epilepsy, a debilitating condition that affects up to one percent of the population. June 20, 2006 By Emmanuel Mulaudzi IN an effort to create awareness about National Epilepsy Week from 19 to 25 June, the City's health department has launched an educational drive to inform residents about the illness which affects about one percent of the population. "We want to encourage our health workers to talk about epilepsy," says the assistant director of the City's public health services, Maureen Rabosiwana. What is epilepsy? Epilepsy is a disorder in which a person is prone to recurring seizures. This occurs when the nerve cells in the brain send electrical signals that become disturbed. This then interferes with the senses, the awareness of the surrounding environment and the movement of the body. Who is prone to epilepsy? According to Rabosiwana, epilepsy can affect anyone - regardless of age, background, sex or social class. "Some people are born with the condition, while others develop it through head injury or illness," explains Rabosiwana. In most cases the specific cause is unknown; in others it may be caused by accidents, trauma and illnesses such as tumours, strokes or infections that injure the brain. In some cases it is hereditary. Dealing with epilepsy With the right treatment, epilepsy can usually be controlled - it is not a condition that gets more severe over time. The primary treatment is the use of anti-seizure medicines such as anticonvulsants or anti-epileptic drugs. "The goal is to prevent seizures while minimising side-effects from the drugs," says a statement from the City's health department. Seizures, while often frightening to the onlooker, are not life-threatening. However, care should be taken by people with epilepsy when driving or swimming. "In rare cases, epilepsy itself can cause death if prolonged repeated seizures are not treated properly," the statement says. If medicines fail to control the seizures, other treatment options may be available. It is important for people with epilepsy to work with their healthcare professional. "Only you and your healthcare professional will be able to decide which treatment is right for you," according to the department. "We encourage people to go to the local clinic for advice and help," says Rabosiwana. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za