By Tolit Ivan
Health experts at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital have blamed the sharp rise in cases of epilepsy in the region to high rate of illicit alcohol consumption.
Research reveals that heavy alcohol consumption has multiple negative consequences for people with epilepsy such as precipitation of seizure, exacerbation of seizure, poor seizure control, increased side effects of antiepileptic drugs and noncompliance to antiepileptic drugs among others.
According to a report from Gulu regional referral hospital, the hospital recorded 7,200 cases of epilepsy in 2025. This translate to 600 admission monthly.
In an interview with Mega FM, Bruno Atyang, the Principal Psychiatrist officer at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Mental Health Unit, says most of the epilepsy cases are triggered by high rate of illicit alcohol consumption by the locals.
According to Atyang, alcohol acts as both a direct trigger for seizures and a potential cause for developing the condition and urged the locals to desist from heavy consumption of alcohol.
Epilepsy is a chronic non communicable disease of the brain that affects people of all ages.
Around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally.
