COIMBATORE: The Indian Medical Association and the Coimbatore Neurological Society conducted an awareness rally around the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital campus to create awareness about epilepsy on the International Epilepsy Day.

Participants including medical students held placards and posters with pictorial descriptions of people having seizures and walked to the bus stop near the hospital and parts of the Trichy Road to make people aware of the symptoms of the disorder, the dos and don’ts, and the treatment options.

IMA Secretary, Dr V Rajesh Babu, said that they wanted that people should know more about the condition. They also wanted to make them understand that the condition is inaccurately represented in many movies. He added that measures like making the patient lie down on side, providing a small pillow, loosening the tie, and unfastening the neck button are a great help during a seizure. Placing a key or an iron object in their hand and a spoon in their mouth could be dangerous.

Dr Babu added that most seizures end within 5 minutes and the patient can be stabilized before being taken to the hospital. But if it does not, then the patient should be rushed to the hospital to receive medical attention.

He further stated that people should not hide the fact that they have epilepsy. It is possible to control it with regular medication and a healthy lifestyle, including adequate sleep, and avoidance of alcohol and tobacco.

Another doctor said that it is important to tell people around you, at work and at home, that you have epilepsy, so that they are well-equipped to handle the situation when you have a seizure.