What Is Purple Day?
Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide.
On March 26th annually, people in countries around the world are invited to wear purple and host events in support of epilepsy awareness.
Learn About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common condition that affects the brain and causes frequent seizures.
Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works. They can cause a wide range of symptoms.
Epilepsy can start at any age but usually starts either in childhood or people over 60.
It's often lifelong but can sometimes get slowly better over time.
In epilepsy, the electrical signals in the brain become scrambled and there are sometimes sudden bursts of electrical activity. This is what causes seizures.
In most cases, it's not clear why this happens. It's possible it could be partly caused by your genes affecting how your brain works, as around 1 in 3 people with epilepsy has a family member with it.
Occasionally, epilepsy can be caused by damage to the brain, such as damage from:
- a stroke
- a brain tumor
- a severe head injury
- drug abuse or alcohol misuse
- a brain infection
- a lack of oxygen during birth
Symptoms of Epilepsy
Seizures can affect people in different ways, depending on which part of the brain is involved.
Possible symptoms include:
- uncontrollable jerking and shaking called a "fit"
- losing awareness and staring blankly into space
- becoming stiff
- strange sensations, such as a "rising" feeling in the tummy, unusual smells or tastes, and a tingling feeling in your arms or legs
- collapsing
Sometimes you might pass out and not remember what happened.
When to Get Medical Help
See a GP if you think you might have had a seizure for the first time.
This does not mean you have epilepsy, as a seizure can have several causes, and sometimes, they're just a one-off, but you should see a doctor find out why it happened.
Call for an ambulance if someone:
- is having a seizure for the first time
- has a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes
- has lots of seizures in a row
- has breathing problems or has seriously injured themselves
Living with Epilepsy
Epilepsy is usually a lifelong condition, but most people with it can have normal lives if their seizures are well controlled.
Most children with epilepsy can go to a mainstream school, take part in most activities and sports, and get a job when they're older.
But you may have to think about your epilepsy before you do things such as driving, certain jobs, swimming, using contraception, and planning a pregnancy.
Advice is available from a GP or support groups to help you adjust to life with epilepsy.
Show Your Support By Wearing Purple
For the lucky one, purple is just one kind of color.
For those epileptics, they do need your helping hands.
Wearing purple seems like just a small step forward, but it means a lot to them.
Wear Purple this Purple Day and show your support to children with epilepsy and the care they need to live happily, fulfilled lives.
Did you know... purple was chosen to be the color of epilepsy awareness because lavender is the official flower of epilepsy
There's no easier way to Go Purple than to dress the part! Jerseys in lilac, a heliotrope hat, maybe mittens in mauve, or even a wine-colored wig... you can show your support in any shade.
If you need a bit of advice on purple clothes, these products from Fansidea.com may help you.
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