Epilepsy Awareness Day / Purple Day - March 26
Celebrated annually on March 26, Epilepsy Awareness Day, or Purple Day was created to increase the public’s understanding of this brain disorder and to eliminate the fear and stigma surrounding it. On this day, tens of thousands of people across the globe come together to start conversations around epilepsy, raise awareness of the condition and fundraise to make a difference in the lives of people affected by epilepsy.
Purple day was created in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, a young girl from Canada, who has epilepsy and wanted to get people talking about the condition. Cassidy decided to use the color purple because lavender is recognized as the international flower of epilepsy. Cassidy not only wanted to raise awareness but also assure people with epilepsy that they are not alone.
Epilepsy By the Numbers
Epilepsy is a common and serious neurological condition that affects the brain and nervous system. Seizures always start in the brain and are caused by many different underlying causes, including a person's genetics, a structural change in the brain, or other underlying conditions.
There are over 40 different types of seizures, and not all of them are physical which is why epilepsy can also be an invisible condition.
- 65 million have epilepsy worldwide
- 1 in 100 people are estimated to have epilepsy
- The cause is unknown for 50% of the cases
- In 2015, 1.2% of the total US population had active epilepsy. This is about 3.4 million people with epilepsy nationwide: 3 million adults and 470,000 children.
What Is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that causes seizures. These seizures are not caused by a temporary underlying medical condition such as a high fever. Epilepsy can affect people in very different ways. This is because there are many causes and many different kinds of seizures. Some people may have multiple types of seizures or other medical conditions in addition to epilepsy. These factors play a major role in determining both the severity of the person’s condition and the impact it has on his or her life.
The way a seizure looks depends on the type of seizure a person is experiencing. Some seizures can look like staring spells. Other seizures can cause a person to collapse, shake, and become unaware of what’s going on around them.
Epilepsy can be caused by different conditions that affect a person’s brain. Many times the cause is unknown. Some causes include:
- Stroke
- Brain tumor
- Traumatic brain injury or head injury
- Central nervous system infection
- A person with epilepsy is not contagious and cannot give epilepsy to another person
Frequently Asked Questions About Epilepsy
How long do seizures usually last?
Usually, a seizure lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes. It depends on the type of seizure.
What are the major types of seizures?
Sometimes it is hard to tell when a person is having a seizure. A person having a seizure may seem confused or look like they are staring at something that isn’t there. Other seizures can cause a person to fall, shake, and become unaware of what’s going on around them.
Seizures are classified into two groups.
- Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain.
- Focal seizures affect just one area of the brain. These seizures are also called partial seizures.
A person with epilepsy can have more than one kind of seizure. Read more about types of seizures and what they look like.
If I have a seizure, does that mean I have epilepsy?
Not always. Seizures can also happen because of other medical problems. These problems include:
- A high fever.
- Low blood sugar.
- Alcohol or drug withdrawal.
What causes epilepsy?
Epilepsy can be caused by different conditions that affect a person’s brain. Some known causes include:
- Stroke.
- Brain tumor
- Brain infection from parasites (malaria, neurocysticercosis), viruses (influenza, dengue, Zika), and bacteria
- Traumatic brain injury or head injury
- Loss of oxygen to the brain (for example, during birth)
- Some genetic disorders (such as Down syndrome)
- Other neurologic diseases (such as Alzheimer’s disease)
For 2 in 3 people, the cause of epilepsy is unknown. This type of epilepsy is called cryptogenic or idiopathic. Read more about the causes of epilepsy in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke publication: Seizures and Epilepsy: Hope Through Research.
How can I prevent epilepsy?
Sometimes we can prevent epilepsy. These are some of the most common ways to reduce your risk of developing epilepsy:
- Have a healthy pregnancy. Some problems during pregnancy and childbirth may lead to epilepsy. Follow a prenatal care plan with your health care provider to keep you and your baby healthy.
- Prevent brain injuries.
- Lower the chances of stroke and heart disease.
- Be up-to-date on your vaccinations.
- Wash your hands and prepare food safely to prevent infections such as cysticercosis.
Read more about epilepsy prevention.
How is epilepsy diagnosed?
A person who has a seizure for the first time should talk to a health care provider, such as a doctor or nurse practitioner. The provider will talk to the person about what happened, and look for the cause of the seizure. Many people who have seizures take tests such as brain scans for a closer look at what is going on. These tests do not hurt.
How is epilepsy treated?
There are many things a provider and person with epilepsy can do to stop or lessen seizures.
The most common treatments for epilepsy are:
- Medicine. Anti-seizure drugs are medicines that limit the spread of seizures in the brain. A health care provider will change the amount of the medicine or prescribe a new drug if needed to find the best treatment plan. Medicines work for about 2 in 3 people with epilepsy.
- Surgery. When seizures come from a single area of the brain (focal seizures), surgery to remove that area may stop future seizures or make them easier to control with medicine. Epilepsy surgery is mostly used when the seizure focus is located in the temporal lobe of the brain.
- Other treatments. When medicines do not work and surgery is not possible, other treatments can help. These include vagus nerve stimulation, where an electrical device is placed or implanted, under the skin on the upper chest to send signals to a large nerve in the neck. Another option is the ketogenic diet, a high fat, low carbohydrate diet with limited calories.
Who treats epilepsy?
Many kinds of health providers treat people with epilepsy. Primary care providers such as family physicians, pediatricians, and nurse practitioners are often the first people to see a person with epilepsy who has new seizures. These providers may make the diagnosis of epilepsy or they may talk with a neurologist or epileptologist.
A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the brain and nervous system. An epileptologist is a neurologist who specializes in epilepsy. When problems occur such as seizures or side effects of medicine, the primary health provider may send the patient to a neurologist or epileptologists for specialized care.
People who have seizures that are difficult to control or who need advanced care for epilepsy may be referred to epilepsy centers. Epilepsy centers are staffed by providers who specialize in epilepsy care, such as:
- Epileptologists and neurologists.
- Nurses.
- Psychologists.
- Technicians.
Many epilepsy centers work with university hospitals and researchers.
How do I find an epilepsy specialist?
There are several ways you can find a neurologist or an epileptologist near you. Your primary care or family provider can tell you about the types of specialists. The American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society provide a listing of its member neurologists and epilepsy specialists, including epileptologists. The National Association of Epilepsy Centers also provides a list of its member centers, organized by state.
What can I do to manage my epilepsy?
Self-management is what you do to take care of yourself. You can learn how to manage seizures and keep an active and full life. Begin with these tips:
- Take your medicine.
- Talk with your doctor or nurse when you have questions.
- Recognize seizure triggers (such as flashing or bright lights).
- Keep a record of your seizures.
- Get enough sleep.
- Lower stress.
Observing Epilepsy Awareness/Purple Day
More and more cities are holding events in observance of Epilepsy Awareness Day, so check out what is going on in your area and encourage friends and family to get involved. The motto is ‘Anyone with a brain can have a seizure and anyone with a brain can help those with epilepsy.’ So, that means YOU can help today!
Today’s the day to break out your favorite purple shirt, shoes, or pair of pants! Don’t stop with the basics, you can sport your support with jewelry, a hat, a tie, or other fun accessories.
If you don’t find an event planned for Epilepsy Awareness Day in your city, apply to be a Purple Day Ambassador through the Anita Kaufmann Foundation. Purple Day Ambassadors spearhead grassroots events in their workplace, school, church, and the community at large, not only on Epilepsy Awareness Day but other days as well! To apply to be an ambassador and find fun and unique ideas for your initiative, check out www.purpledayeveryday.org.
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