Certain drugs, such as certain antidepressants and SSRIs or narcotics, can increase the risk of seizures in people with epilepsy. A medical alert bracelet will help identify someone who is having a seizure to emergency personnel.
Seizures can be managed by taking medication as prescribed, getting adequate sleep, reducing stress, eating healthy food, and exercising regularly.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining good mental and physical health. Unfortunately, people with epilepsy often struggle to get adequate rest. This may be due to nocturnal seizures, side effects of anti-seizure medications or stress.
Disturbed sleep can also indicate another sleep disorder, such as insomnia or apnea. It’s important to talk to your doctor if you have these symptoms.
Treating these disorders can improve sleep quality and help you better manage your seizures. Your doctor can recommend treatments, such as medication, diet or devices like a vagus nerve stimulator. They can also refer you to a specialist if necessary.
Sleep disorders, side effects from epilepsy medications, stress, and anxiety can cause insomnia. Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble sleeping to determine the cause. You may be referred to a specialist in sleep medicine to run tests to identify the underlying issue. A diagnosis can then be made and the problem treated. This will improve your sleep and overall quality of life.
Keep a Seizure Log
One of the best ways to epilepsy management Austin TX is to have a detailed seizure log. It is one of the most valuable tools a person can provide their neurologist. It helps them get a clearer picture of the circumstances surrounding seizures, how they may change over time, and a better idea of possible triggers such as sleep deprivation, stress, menstruation and medicines.
This can be done in a notebook, on your phone or computer, or on an app specifically recording seizures. The best ones are pre-designed to make it easier to keep track of the specific behaviors you need to record, such as what happened during the seizure, where it happened and how long it lasted.
Exercise Regularly
People with epilepsy often limit their physical activity out of fear of triggering seizures. But this is usually unnecessary, as exercise generally does not worsen seizures.
Exercise improves physical fitness, mood and energy and may help reduce stress – all common seizure triggers. It also boosts mental health and makes people feel more in control of their lives and well-being.
When exercising, wear a medical alert bracelet and be open with your friends about your condition so they know what to do in an emergency. Also, avoid known seizure triggers like lack of sleep and wear a helmet if participating in any contact sport.
Keep a Healthy Diet
It’s important to eat a healthy diet as it contributes to the functioning of your brain and body. This helps you feel your best and may also reduce the severity of seizures, according to the Epilepsy Society.
Carbohydrates are one of the main components of a balanced diet. They give your body energy and contain fiber, vitamins and minerals. However, avoiding unhealthy carbohydrates like sugary drinks and processed foods is important.
It’s also essential to avoid fatty and salty foods, saturated fats and caffeine, as these can increase your risk for seizure triggers. Choose fresh, whole, natural foods as much as possible.
Stay Active
People with epilepsy are often targets of prejudice and discrimination. It’s important to educate others about the condition and dispel myths that it is contagious, dangerous or a sign of morally bad behavior.
People can enjoy many sports and activities safely if they are careful. They should always wear a helmet when riding a bike, use protective headgear when playing contact sports or participating in any activity that increases the risk of head injury, and get enough sleep. They should also tell their friends and family about their condition and wear a medical alert bracelet to let others know they have seizures.
Surgery to remove brain tissue may be an option for those whose seizures aren’t controlled by medication. Talk to your neurologist about this.