March 26th of every year, named as “Purple Day”, is dedicated to patients with epilepsy and to increase epilepsy awareness worldwide. In commemoration of this, Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Madurai organized a Health Awareness programme to the members of Walkers Club on 26th March 2016 at Walkers Club, Sundaram Park, Madurai
During the Health Awareness Talk on Epilepsy Dr.S.N. Karthik, Dr. P. Suresh and Dr. S. Meenakshi-Sundaram, Consultant Neurologists, Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Madurai said , “Epilepsy is a serious neurological disorder that affects the brain and it presents in the form of seizures. During seizure a person has involuntary jerky movement of this limbs and body with or without losing consciousness. Throughout the ages epilepsy has been associated with stigma and the society has always looked upon the epileptics with prejudice. Many with this disorder are reluctant to admit it or to seek treatment.
The general public too do not know how to react to a person having a seizure. There are many misconceptions about how to help a person who is having a seizure. For example, a person who is having seizure should not be restrained, yet many people do not know that. Also, nothing should be placed in the mouth of the person having a seizure. However, old myths persist and the public needs to be made aware of the facts. Patient should be made to lie down on his side and every effort should be taken so that they do not injure themselves.
The idea of giving iron object to seizing person is deep rooted in our society. Thought there is nothing wrong about it, one should not give a knife or any other sharp object in their hands. People should be made aware that an epileptic can have a normal life like anyone else. Nearly 60% of epileptics can be cured of it if they take the medications under medical supervision. Even in the rest of the patients it can be reasonably controlled with modern medications and they can have a fruitful life.
Dr. Rohini Sridhar, Chief Operating Officer, Apollo Hospitals, Madurai Region informed that, “Educating people about epilepsy is so important because people need to know what to do if they see someone having a seizure . They need to know that there are different types of seizures and that they don’t have to be afraid of epilepsy or the people who have it. Education also helps people with epilepsy know they aren’t alone. The Purple Day for epilepsy campaign is one such important initiative to raise awareness about epilepsy.
More than 300 members of Walkers Club, staffs and Doctors of Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Madurai participated in this Health Awareness Programme. Purple coloured balloons were set off by the participants.
