Reminding that epilepsy, which is defined as a rhythm disorder in the brain, can occur at any age, the Rector of Yeditepe University and Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl said that consanguineous marriages increase the risk of epilepsy. According to the information she gave based on a study they conducted in Turkey, she stated that epilepsy is 40 times more common in individuals who have consanguineous marriages. 

Epilepsy, which is observed with certain seizure attacks together with the deterioration of electrical activity in the brain, affects 50 out of 100 thousand people a year. Stating that this rate can reach 80 to 100 in underdeveloped countries due to difficulties in childbirth or delays in the treatment of diseases that need to be treated, Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl made important statements on the occasion of Epilepsy Awareness Day.

Be Careful in the First 5 Years of Age and After 40 Years of Age!

Stating that the disease can occur at any age and that the incidence is more common in the first 5 years of age, Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl said, “It is observed at a certain rate until the age of 10. It is less common between the ages of 10-40. After the age of 40, the incidence of epilepsy increases in parallel with the incidence of vascular and brain diseases.”

Consanguineous Marriage Increases the Risk

Stating that consanguineous marriage increases the risk of disease 40 times, Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl gave the following information based on their research on the subject:

“There may be a genetic predisposition to epilepsy. However, as of today, there is only a small group of epilepsy diseases that have been identified and genetically diagnosed. We know that especially consanguineous marriages increase the incidence. In a study we conducted in Turkey in the past years, we examined a group of approximately 2000 people from 7 families with consanguineous marriages. As a result of our research, we found that epilepsy is 40 times more common in those who have consanguineous marriages than in those who do not. Because the disease may not occur in genetically predisposed people. However, in consanguineous couples, the disease can be seen by the combination of genes. However, due to the decrease in consanguineous marriages in our country in recent years, there may be a decrease in the rate of epilepsy related to this.”

"Genetic Effect"

Yeditepe University Rector and Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl stated that no specific gene was detected in the detailed genetic studies, and said, “We know that epilepsy does not have a specifically defined gene, but is influenced by genes. Although some epilepsies vary according to age, epilepsy type, and EEG characteristics, there are some defined genes. In other words, there are types of epilepsy that are known to occur as a result of a gene defect. However, these are even below 1 percent of total epilepsy patients. Apart from this, no specific gene has been detected in epilepsies. However, it is known that our genetic structure is effective in catching diseases or showing a predisposition towards them.”

“Extreme Sleeplessness Triggers Seizures”

Expressing epilepsy as a rhythm disorder in the brain, Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl reminded us that this disorder can occur anytime from childhood to advanced ages and continued her words as follows: “Symptoms of the disease can vary according to the age at which it occurs. However, it is known that some environmental factors trigger seizures. For example, medication use triggers seizures. We also know that excessive sleeplessness, stress, alcohol, and certain drugs trigger seizures. Many things that can have a chemical effect on the body can trigger seizures.”

Epilepsy May Underlie the Learning Difficulties!

Yeditepe University Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl stated that epilepsy should also be considered in the diagnosis of children with learning difficulties and said, “Unnoticed epileptic seizures can cause learning difficulties and memory problems. In this case, the school success of the child decreases. He/she experiences a hard time establishing relationships. We try to distinguish epilepsy by evaluating children with learning difficulties as psychologists and neurologists together. When we treat children with learning difficulties and attention deficits with the diagnosis of epilepsy, we see that their school success and relationships with friends improve, and they come to the same level with their peers.” 

"Think of Epilepsy Like a Migraine"

Stating that epileptic seizures can cause depression in the patient, Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl said that the reason for this is the reactions from the environment. Stating that epilepsy patients experience fear of being excluded from society, Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl said that the person should see this situation as a migraine and gave the following advice to patients:

“In general, these people are considered equal to mental illness and are ostracized in society. In this case, depression and loneliness become the most important problem of patients. We have patients who have experienced seizures 3 times in their lives and have not come out of depression. Because once this diagnosis is made, people cannot easily get rid of them. Even if the disease is treated with medication, the name alone can be enough to push a person into depression. The most important warning point in this regard is that the whole environment of the person sees this situation as a migraine disease, knows that it can be controlled with medication, and supports the patient.”

"70 Percent of Patients Can Be Controlled with Medication"

Noting that 70 percent of the patients can be treated with medication, Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl explained that the seizures can be controlled by using surgery or nerve stimulation methods in the 15 percent group of patients. Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl stated that patients who undergo surgery are a little bit luckier as they have a reduced risk of having seizures later on, and said, “Surgical treatment is used in the 15% who do not respond to medication. The sooner the treatment is evaluated after the onset of seizures and if necessary, the patient is referred to surgery, the better the subsequent success, that is, the non-recurrence of the seizures. Therefore, it is extremely important to evaluate patients well and direct them to the right centers.”

How to Approach the Person Having a Seizure?

Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl gave the following information on how to approach a person having a seizure:

“The most basic point to be known here is that this seizure is a discharge and will end in a very short time. During this discharge, there is no spontaneous damage to the patient's brain or body. However, if he/she falls and hits his/her arm or head, some damage may occur. Although it is generally noticed that patients do not breathe in this situation, they do not have a situation such as a lack of oxygen in the brain. For this reason, it is sufficient to position the patient, turn his/her head to the side and protect him/her from danger so that no harm will occur to his/her body during the seizure. Seizures last a few minutes at most. However, since it is not easy to live that moment, it may seem to the patient much longer. The patient should regain consciousness within 15-20 minutes after the seizure. If the patient does not recover, it is necessary to take him/her to the hospital. However, the point that should be underlined is that it is necessary to remain calm and wait during the seizure.”

"Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss Has No Place in Treatment"

Stating that nutrition is also important in the treatment of epilepsy, Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl said the following about the ketogenic diet, which has been popular in recent years:
“First of all, the person should not stay hungry. Skipping meals, staying hungry, and low blood sugar trigger seizures. The ketogenic diet is a method that we use when we have difficulty with medication treatment and especially for children. We apply this treatment method by hospitalizing the patient. It is our recommendation to stay away from foods with additives. However, the ketogenic diet, which is used especially for weight loss, has no place in the treatment of epilepsy.”

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