March Health Happenings

National Epilepsy Month

National Nutrition Month

National Epilepsy Month

“Jimmy, Jimmy,” his second grade teacher asks, “do you know the answer?”

But Jimmy does not seem to hear the teacher call his name. He blinks repetitively and his eyes may roll up a bit. He blanks out for about 20 seconds. The teacher thinks ‘is he disobedient? shy?’ Actually no, Jimmy is having an epileptic seizure. When the seizure is over Jimmy continues his schoolwork as if nothing happened. 

In Canada alone, around 15,000 people are diagnosed with epilepsy each year. Some are the elderly, but most of them are children just like Jimmy. Epilepsy or seizure disorder is something that happens to your body because of sudden, brief changes in how the brain works. These changes are caused by a neurological disorder – a disorder that affects the brain.

Seizures are caused by an electrical disturbance in the brain which can affect the body in different ways. For example, Jimmy is having an absence seizure (petit mal), while other children may drop to the floor and convulse. This is called a tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal). Although seizures may be caused by severe head injury, in children, seizures usually have no apparent physical cause. Some children even become seizure-free when they grow up. Depending on the type of seizure and cause, patients may be treated with diet, medications, or surgery. 

Seizures like Jimmy’s involve short periods of unresponsiveness, and do not require specific first aid. Please visit the AboutKidsHealth Epilepsy Resource Centre to learn how to help a child having a more intense seizure.

To learn more about Epilepsy and treatment for different kinds of seizures please visit: Epilepsy Canada.

 

National Nutrition Month

"Celebrate food….from field to table" is 2010’s National Nutrition Month theme. This yearly event encourages Canadians to lead a healthy, active lifestyle by embracing better eating habits. Led by Canadian dietitians, these nutrition experts unite in March to help families learn where food comes from and share facts about Canadian food. 

The 2010 National Nutrition Month Campaign aims to help you discover:

• Action ideas to eat healthier and celebrate Canadian foods
• Practical solutions to help you eat well and live well while learning where foods are coming from
• How to translate nutrition advice into everyday food choices for you and your family
• Local nutrition resources

You can celebrate nutrition month by planning and promoting activities at home, at work or in your community:

• Post a “Tip of the Day” for the entire month in your workplace
• Contact  you local dietitian to provide your work, social group or school with a presentation
• contact local media to encourage stories and coverage of Nutrition Month events

For tips on nutrition and active living, recipes and interactive learning tools that will help you plan your family’s next meal, please visit: Dietitians of Canada’s Nutrition Month website.

For more information, please see the AboutKidsHealth Fitness and Nutrition columns, written by the registered dietitians at the Specialty Food Shop.