Epilepsy in our Hispanic community | The NY Journal
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710,000 Latinos have been diagnosed with this brain disorder, yet many know little about it
Epilepsy is a disease of the nervous system that affects people of all ages. It is usually diagnosed after a person has had at least two unprovoked seizures. In the case of seizures caused by a previous medical condition, they are not considered epileptic. About 50% of people who have a seizure without a known cause usually have another seizure, usually within 6 months. If the cause is a brain injury or other type of brain condition, then the chance of having another seizure doubles.
Since 2003, Latinos have become the largest minority group in the United States, representing a significant portion of the US population. Currently, there are approximately 60.6 million Latinos in the United States (18% of the US population). We know that more than 3.4 million people living in the United States have epilepsy, and of those 710,000 are Latino. Also, about 1 in 26 people may have epilepsy in their lifetime.
Although epilepsy affects the entire population, it is more frequent in communities with difficulty in accessing medical health services, such as Latino communities. Epilepsy is also a not very well known disease surrounded by myths and stigma among this population. All of this contributes to discrimination, lack of diagnosis and treatment.
Important data
- If someone in your family has epilepsy, it is best to talk with the rest of the family and educate them about the disease, so that they can recognize the symptoms and help during an epileptic seizure.
- Know that death is rare among people with epilepsy, unless these people have other medical conditions.
- Epilepsy is not contagious.
- The vast majority of people with epilepsy can drive and work normally.
- Epilepsy is not a mental illness; epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that sends electrical signals to the brain. Seizures can be related to a brain injury, genetics, immune condition, infection, brain structure, or metabolic cause, but most of the time the cause is unknown.
Epilepsy and COVID-19
It is important to talk about epilepsy and COVID-19, a virus that is affecting Latinos differently. Although having epilepsy does not increase the risk of contracting COVID-19 or increase the severity of symptoms (as long as there is no other illness or seizures are under control) people living with epilepsy should familiarize themselves with the precautions of COVID-19 .
The most common way of being exposed to COVID-19 is through the spread of droplets in the air when a person with the virus coughs, sneezes or talks, which is why physical distancing and the use of masks such as necessary precautions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms can include cough, fever, pain, and shortness of breath.
Fever can trigger seizures, and therefore COVID-19 could exacerbate seizures in people with epilepsy. Some antiepileptic medications (such as ACTH, steroids, everolimus, immunotherapies) could compromise the immune system, and therefore cause someone who is diagnosed with COVID-19 and has epilepsy to encounter immense health problems.
Get Informed During Hispanic Heritage Month
The good news is that epilepsy doesn’t have to turn into a serious health episode if we have the correct information. Although epilepsy is a chronic disease, it is not a life sentence. The Epilepsy Foundation’s multicultural program is designed to promote epilepsy education and debunk the myths and fear associated with the disease.
It is also important to know how to help a person in case of a seizure. Learn about the three simple first aid steps (Stay Safe Side) or participate in a free first aid certificate course for epilepsy. Through ongoing training, activities, and partnerships, the Epilepsy Foundation helps all people affected by epilepsy live healthier lives.
For more details, visit the Epilepsy Foundation’s new information website in Spanish: Epilepsy.com/EnEspanol.
Angel W. Hernandez, MD, is chair of the Department of Neurosciences at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (Grand Rapids, Michigan). He is also a member of the Epilepsy Foundation’s board of accessory physicians.
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