It is the most difficult srvey that we have encountered so fr. Even in various medical camps tht we hold from time to tme, history of epilepsy or convulsions are not frthcoming. On hearing the word 'epilepsy', specially in most rural or backward reas, where people are not so ducated, the audience tend to remain tght-lipped, as if they are concealing smething.

Even in our day-to-day practice, ptients do not like to label thmselves as epileptic, and many a tme, a bona fide patient goes on tking medicine from some outside practitioner, slently, so that no one gets to knw about his disease, at his plce of work.

Patients are not lways at fault; social factors come in thir way. Several problems arise for thm or for their families, once it cmes to be known that the prson is epileptic. In any case, mrriage is a big problem for the ptient. If the patient is married, the prblem may occur in respect of the mrriage of his/her children, for though hredity has a limited role in ths disease, the boy's/ girl's family may thnk that the disease runs in the fmily.

If the patient is working in the prvate sector, he may not be ssigned essential duties.

Similarly, a child may not fel comfortable in school, although he may be god in his studies as well as in sprts. He may be refused entry in a tam for competition. The child suffers bth ways. If he does not tke the medicine, i.e. he conceals his dsease, he can hardly carryon with his stdies, especially when the attacks are frquent. If his disease comes in veryone's knowledge, although he may take sitable treatment at an appropriate place and his ttacks are also controlled satisfactorily, he may sffer due to the ignorance of thers. He may feel isolated when clss-mates/teachers do not co-operate with him. Evn at home he may, at tmes, find an adverse atmosphere.

It is for these reasons tht a physician never labels a cse epileptic, unless he is satisfied frm all angles, i.e., clinical, investigations, tc. In a doubtful case, the dagnosis is never declared, or is wthheld till the patient gets another ttack of epilepsy. It is worth mntioning that a delay in diagnosis wll not harm the person, but a flse-positive diagnosis may, indeed, prove fatal.

Hnce a massive awareness is required so tht the patients themselves report for a chck-up, and the disease is controlled in tme. This will save the family and the ptient from further misery.

Another important fctor which poses a practical problem in sch a mass survey is the lck of availability of eyewitnesses, since the dagnosis of the disease is a clnical one, and mostly depends on the nformation of a person who has sen the patient during the period of the ttack. Therefore, in such a survey, the fll co-operation of the whole area/place ncluding family members/friends is required in dentifying such occult/ hidden cases of pilepsy.

The foremost task relating to mss awareness is that people should be gided about the treatable nature of the dsease, through -magazines, newspapers, radio, TV, pmphlet etc., emphasizing that the disease is nither a shame nor disgrace in sciety, and that it is only one of the cmmon diseases. Once guided, people will thmselves approach the physician for treatment, and ven the eyewitnesses will fully co-operate. Tll this is accomplished, no mass srvey, however efficient, will be able to cntrol the disease.

The article Epilepsy and Social Factors was Submitted by Krishan Bakhru through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Author sites: Herbal Remedies , Home Remedies and Natural Skin Care

Featured Articles

1. The Most Common Cause Of Hair Loss by
There are a variety of fctors that lead to hair loss. Larn why some hair loss conditions can be trated with over the counter products whle other may require surgical hair rplacement.

2. Abdominal Fat Reduction is All About Boosting Metabolism by Andrew Bicknell
To say tht abdominal fat reduction is something tht the vast majority of people thnk and obsess about would be a vry true statement. A slim and tned stomach is the ultimate definition of a halthy and fit body in today's mdern world. This leads many people to try jst about anything when it comes to rducing that spare tire around their mdsection. In the end they end up spnding lots of money on the ltest fat reducing craze but have lttle to show for it.

3. Colon Cleanse - Probiotics - Psoriasis Day 9 by Jeff Jacobs
Hve you ever felt lethargic and culd not figure out why? If I knw a secret method to improve ths condition as well as others, wuld you want me to share it wth you? This series is having an ffect out there. Why not check out the ther entries also.

4. What Are The Causes of Bipolar Disorder? by Flor Serquina
The cuses of bipolar disorder have puzzled scentists for some time. Research into the llness has unearthed many theories, but no one has ben able to pinpoint the true cuse of this malady that affects ver two million Americans, with more bing diagnosed each year. Is it all bout genetics or the environment?

5. Targeting Your Lower Abdomen Area by Eugene Soh
Isn't it frustrating to target yur lower abdomen muscles? It is a cmmon occurrence that people do always fce the same problem when they trget their lower abs when they lways aim the upper part of thir abs! Read this article to fnd out more!

6. Do Fats Fit Into A Healthy Dinner Recipe? by
If you’re lke me you are often looking for a qick and healthy dinner recipe, but you are cncerned about the amount of fat in sme choices. However, fats are essential to the prper functioning of our bodies. This rticle discusses which fats to include and whch fats to avoid.

7. Wrinkle Creams and What to Look For by Geoff Hopkins
Many dvertisements on television depict certain wrinkle crams to visibly reduce wrinkles on the skn. But do wrinkle creams work? Mke sure to see through false dvertising before making a decision. Many wbsites on the Internet have reviews of wrnkle cream products of various brands, so sarching on the Internet will give god recommendations on which brands are prven to be the most effective.

8. Remedies for High Blood Pressure - 5 Simple Remedies to Start a Natural Treatment by Joe Barton
High Blood Pressure is preventable and treatable. Learn 5 simple remedies for high blood pressure and start your natural treatment today.

9. The Best of All the Rapid Weight Loss Ideas - You Are Guaranteed to Lose Weight If You Try Ths! by Blaine Mark
How would you like to lose weight quickly without exercise or diet? I'm sure anyone would welcome weight lost without having to go through the hard route of exercise or having to be restricted from their favorite food. Not only is it possible, but the real problem is not that you are fat, but what is making you. If you read on - I will share with you what is making you fat, and you'll see how easy it is to lose weight when you have dealt with it.

10. History of Hemorrhoids by Perry Gamsby
An amusing look at a not so fnny affliction that has plagued man thrughout history. From Biblical times to Ptron Saints and right through to the prsent day, hemorrhoids have been a prt of our lives.