Happy Purple Day!

March 26 is Purple Day - International Epilepsy Awareness Day!

With 1 out of 100 people afflicted, chances are someone you know and love has epilepsy.

When people hear the word "seizure", most people think of someone dropping to the ground and having convulsions. In fact, that is only one type of seizure - the "tonic-clonic" seizure. There are many other types such muscle spasms, blank stares, or odd sensations also known as "auras".

Seizures happen when abnormal neuron discharge happens in the brain. In other words, the cells get over excited and fire more than usual, leading to the change in behaviour. These symptoms can be controlled by medications that decrease this overactivity in the brain.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder, but it is not contagious! Famous people such as Prince and Neil Diamond are known to have epilepsy, and it is believed that even Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great were affected.

There are many organizations around the world helping people with epilepsy. These organizations make sure that patients get the care they need, give them the tools to live with epilepsy, and help them be part of a community.

On this Purple Day, consider donating to your local epilepsy association. If your region doesn't have one, please consider donating to the Edmonton Epilepsy Association, an amazing organization who supplies resources all over the world to people living with epilepsy!