International Epilepsy Day is observed every year on the second Monday of February across the world.
Context
International Epilepsy Day is observed every year on the second Monday of February across the world.
What is Epilepsy?
- Epilepsy is derived from the Greek word which means 'to be seized, to be overwhelmed by surprise'.
- Suffering from epilepsy means having a tendency to have recurring seizures.
- It is said that if the brain is exposed to a strong enough stimulus then anyone can have a seizure.
- It is not necessarily a lifelong diagnosis.
- Doctors may consider that a person has no longer epilepsy if he or she goes without seizures for a long enough time.
Cause of Epilepsy
- There are various types of epilepsy. Some types of it start at a young age and some in later life.
- Some types last for a short period of time and some for the whole life.
- It could be due to brain damage occurring by a difficult birth, a severe blow to the head, or due to an infection of the brain like meningitis.
- Occasionally it is caused by a brain tumour. It is said that in around six of ten people, doctors don't know the reason for their epilepsy.
What are the treatments for Epilepsy?
- Epilepsy medicines like anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are referred.
- Medicine for epilepsy acts on the brain and tries to reduce seizures from happening.
- Other treatments when epilepsy medicines do not work are brain surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, ketogenic diet, deep brain stimulation, and trigeminal nerve stimulation.
Background
- The day was organised by the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE).
- It started in
- The purpose behind observing the day is to provide a platform for people with epilepsy to share their experiences and stories with audiences across the world.
- It is also a call for all people to advocate for appropriate legislation that will guarantee human rights to people with epilepsy.
- The day also encourages people with epilepsy to live to their fullest potential.
- It is one of the world's oldest known medical conditions, associated with public fear and misunderstanding about epilepsy, making various people reluctant to talk about it.
- This reluctance may lead to lives lived in shadows, a lack of understanding about individual risk, discrimination in workplaces, and communities, and also a lack of funding for new therapies research.
Theme
- The theme of International Epilepsy Day this year is '50 Million Steps For Epilepsy'.
- As many as 50 million people worldwide are affected by epilepsy.
- The idea behind the campaign is to raise awareness of this and to raise vital funds for epilepsy organisations across the world.
- The theme of International Epilepsy Day 2021 is “Epilepsy is more than seizures”
