National Epilepsy Day – History, Significance and Theme

National epilepsy day is celebrated on 17th November. This occasion is celebrated to raise awareness about all those people who have been suffering from epilepsy disease. Various organizations organize campaigns so people can talk about their problems and share their experiences. It also helps in motivating others to achieve a sense of prosperity for the people who have been suffering from this. Every year millions of people have to face epilepsy disease. However, it does not only affects the body. It shows the impact on the whole body. National epilepsy day is celebrated annually and encourages them to live more freely. In this article, we will provide you with information regarding National epilepsy day, its history, its theme, its significance, timelines, conclusion, etc. 

History Of National Epilepsy Day

The international bureau initiated National epilepsy day for Epilepsy ( IBE ) in 2015. The prime motive of national epilepsy day is to educate and motivate people to talk about their illnesses and share their stories with other victims. It will help people to have courage so that they can defeat this disease and live their life in a much better way. Undoubtedly a condition can significantly impact a person’s overall life. However, only by gaining knowledge about epilepsy can we fight against it and get our life back.  

Significance Of National Epilepsy Day

Epilepsy is an old and underrated disease, and because of this, people lack information regarding epilepsy disease. However, people have many misunderstandings regarding epilepsy. Millions of people have epilepsy all over the world. National epilepsy day was formed to raise awareness about epilepsy, its causes, and how to tackle it. There are some norms that a person has to follow while taking care of epilepsy patients, so make sure to take better care of the person. However, various organizations support those patients who have epilepsy by motivating and educating them about this. People can come forward and help those who have had epilepsy for a long time. 

The Theme Of National Epilepsy Day

The theme of national epilepsy day is “ stigma. ” People have to face many problems, which makes it difficult for them to live their life happily, but once you come on the platform of national epilepsy day, you will get more courage as many people have faced the same problem as yours.  

Previous Year’s Theme Of National Epilepsy Day

What Is Epilepsy Disease?

It is a non – infectious disease that affects more than 60 million worldwide. It is a brain condition in which people suffer from recurrent unprovoked seizures, and Epilepsy disease affects the nervous system. Also, it harms allies and ethnic backgrounds. It can be developed by minor interruption between nerve cells and the brain, and it causes high fever, low blood pressure, high blood pressure, etc.

The most crucial question rise in every individual is what is a seizure? We all know that the brain is a vital and central human organ that controls all voluntary and involuntary activities of the body. But if a person suffers from a seizure, they receive a highly abnormal electrical signal affecting brain function.

Different Types Of Epilepsy Seizures

The seizure depends on which brain part is affected. There are different types of attacks which are given below:

Focal seizure – This type of seizure occurs when the person experiences electric shock on only one side of the brain. Before the focal attack, the person encounters a familiar aura like fear, déjà vu, impending doom, etc.

 Focal seizures are divided into two parts:

Simple focal seizure

This type of seizure is found in children. In a simple focal seizure, the brain experiences an electric shock in the back part of the brain, which is responsible for vision. Also, the children’s muscles are affected by this type of seizure. The children experience sweating, nausea, becoming pale and fatigue, headache, etc.

Complex focal seizure

Complex seizures occur in the temporary lobe of the brain, which controls emotion and memory. In this seizure person experiences gaggling, lip smacking, crying, and launching without any reason.

Complex seizure is further divided into seven different types of seizure that are given below:

• A generalized seizure occurs simultaneously on both sides of the brain and the person loses consciousness. This type of seizure contains absence seizure, atonic seizure, generalized tonic-clonic seizure, myoclonic seizure, infantile spasms, and febrile seizure.
• Absence seizure –This type of seizure occurs in children in its initial stage the person experience twitching of the eyes, but this seizure does not stay more than 30 seconds. But after this seizure, the person does not remember what happened to them.
• Atonic seizure– This seizure is also known as a drop attack. In this seizure, the children experience sudden muscle tone and chill fall from a standing position.
• Generalized tonic – Clonic seizure This type of seizure is also known as grand mal seizure. It occurs in five phases: the body’s arm and legs are contracted, shaken, straightened out, employed, and relaxed muscles. In this seizure, the children may feel sleepy; vision problems are widespread, headaches, fatigue, etc.
• Myoclonic seizure– This can cause jerking and sudden movement of muscles 
• Infantile spasm – This type of seizure occurs before six months of pregnancy. This type of seizure can affect the baby’s leg, neck, and trunk movement for a small duration. But this causes a severe problem with children and give long-term complication.
• Febrile seizure- In this seizure, the children experience high fever, mainly seen in children aged 5 to 6.

Signs And Symptoms

There are some signs and symptoms through which you can understand whether you are suffering from epilepsy disease or not. However, some of the signs and symptoms are given below:

1. Jerking movement
2. Loss bladder control
3. Falling suddenly from standing position 
4. Hearing problem
5.  Person feeling confused 
6. Rapid eye blinking

Causes of seizure

Different kinds of seizures can be seen in newborn babies and adults. However, some of the causes of seizure are given below:

• In newborn baby 

1. Birth trauma, congenital issues, fever, body infections
2. Alcohol or drugs, head injury, illness, genetic factor, unknown reason

• Other causes 

1. Brain tumors, neurological problems, excess medication, use of expired drugs,  drug withdrawal.

WHO reports on national epilepsy day?

Every year, the WHO represents a report pointing out the significant drawback that causes due to epilepsy day. Some of the points from the report of WHO are given below:

1. The world health organization made a report with the collaboration of the international bureau of Epilepsy and the international league against Epilepsy, which is given below. 
2. The treatment gap of epilepsy disease increases daily—70% of people from any seizure with proper medication. The cost of the medicines is significantly lower. That’s the reason this disease is not so much widespread.
3. Half of the people suffering from epilepsy disease because of anxiety and depression 
4. According to the report, developing countries faces more death than developed countries. 

How to observe national epilepsy day?

To show our contribution to national epilepsy day, we can perform the below-given activities:

1. Cities can participate in different national events to promote awareness of epilepsy disease. Many people don’t know about epilepsy, so it is essential to promote awareness and educate people about epilepsy disease.
2. At this event, all the people wore a purple shirt, t-shirt whatever they wanted to wear because the purple color is a symbol of fighting against the epilepsy disease 
3. Become an ambassador and organize different events in different places like workplaces, schools, churches, etc., to promote awareness on epilepsy day

Dates of national epilepsy day

Conclusion

National epilepsy day is celebrated on 17 November. It is an annual occasion that is celebrated all over the world. The main motive for implementing National epilepsy day is to motivate and educate people about epilepsy disease. It will help people to gain more knowledge about epilepsy and how they can tackle with this. Various organizations are working for this occasion by organizing multiple campaigns so people can talk about their epilepsy stories and share stories of experiences while experiencing the disease. 

FAQs on National Epilepsy Day

1. Can epilepsy disease be cured by not.?

Ans: Epilepsy cannot be cured, but proper medication can prove helpful to people. 

2. What are the leading causes of epilepsy disease?

Ans: The leading causes are brain tumours and vascular malformation.

3. Is epilepsy a severe disease?

Ans: It is a non – infectious disease that affects the brain and its activity.

4. When is world epilepsy day date?

Ans: It is a non – infectious disease that affects the brain and its activity.

Read Also: World Epilepsy Day: All You Need To Know