Jamshedpur, Nov. 17: Changing food habit is one of the factors responsible for the rise in epilepsy cases in the steel city.

This was the observation of some of the senior neurologists and neuro-psychiatrists present at a function to mark World Epilepsy Day at the Tata Main Hospital (TMH) this evening.

Senior physician Dr X.J. Anklesaria was the chief guest.

Over 100 epilepsy patients and their family members attended the function organised by the department of neurosciences.

Guest of honour, president of Tata Workers? Union R.B.B. Singh, lauded the efforts of the department of neurosciences to spread awareness through the programme.

Neurologist Dr M.N. Singh, neuro-surgeon Dr F.B. Singh and psychiatrist Dr A.K. Gupta also expressed their views at the function on the disease.

According to senior neuro-psychiatrist of TMH Dr Prabhat Verma about one per cent of the population in the city is suffering from epilepsy.

?One of the most important reason for the rising cases of epilepsy is the changing food habit. It has been seen that people addicted to junk food are more prone to the disease,? said Dr Verma.

The neuro-psychiatrist said the most disturbing thing is the number of patients are increasing at an alarming rate.

He suggested that the government department and organisations working in the health sector should organise awareness programmes to make the residents aware of the reasons behind the rising cases of epilepsy through seminars and workshops.

Dr Verma said there are a lot of myths regarding epilepsy, which the people think is a curse.

?Epilepsy is a disease that can be completely cured, although the treatment period is longer,? he said.

?The treatment period is about three years. A patient who carefully follows the doctors? advice can be completely cured,? said Dr Verma.

Doctors at the function also suggested that family members should watch and note the symptoms of the patient at the time of fits as this may help in proper diagnosis. ?A patient can be cured early if the doctor is told the exact symptoms of the patient at time of fits,? the experts said.