Shining light on epilepsy
PHOTO April Carr
March 9, 2022
Epilepsy Awareness Day, Also known as Purple Day, is annually celebrated on March 26 to break the stigma of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a common brain disorder that millions of people around the world struggle with. There are still numerous unknowns regarding this illness, and Purple Day highlights the extensive research that is done and encourages people to donate to research foundations.
According to National Today, Purple Day was originally started in 2008 when Cassidy Megan from Nova Scotia, Canada, was diagnosed with epilepsy. Megan was 9 years old at the time of her diagnosis and wanted the world to have a better understanding of the common illness.
There are numerous types of seizures; however, the two main categories are generalized seizures and focal seizures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Generalized seizures include shaking, crying out, loss of consciousness, etc. Focal seizures, however. tend to be milder and can include a person spacing out for a period of time and losing sense of their surroundings.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some major causes of epilepsy are from genetic influence, head trauma, brain abnormalities, infections, prenatal injuries, etc. Because there aren’t any ways to prevent these things from occurring, if these causes do arise, close contact with a physician is necessary.
Though there is no cure for epilepsy as of now, there are medications to help subside the symptoms and side effects. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, these medications include anti-epileptic drugs and anti-seizure drugs. These medications work for seven out of 10 people and have become very successful.
Purple Day continues to spread awareness around this illness that has changed numerous people’s lives. To learn more about Purple Day visit https://nationaltoday.com/epilepsy-awareness-purple-day/#:~:text=Celebrated%20annually%20on%20March%2026,fear%20and%20stigma%20surrounding%20it.
