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Living With Epilepsy
Living With Epilepsy
How to live when you have or someone you love has epilepsy
Living with someone who has epilepsy or if you have epilepsy yourself is
somewhat difficult, but it is extremely do-able.
Though there are bumps along the way, nothing is really impossible as long as
one is clearly focused and intent on living a normal and natural way, with or
without epilepsy.
The following are some of the issues people with epilepsy usually encounter, as
well as some helpful advice to make life as productive as possible.
An epilepsy diagnosis has implications in one’s life that extend to work,
relationships and school. Epilepsy need not be a condition that is
debilitating. Managing it is best for one’s self and especially for those that
are around you.
Know what triggers your epilepsy
Believe it or not, one’s lifestyle has a tremendous influence on how and when
seizures occur.
It has been shown that one in about twenty people who has epilepsy is actually
sensitive to lights that are flashing.
Seizures could also be induced by TV programs, strobe lights and video games.
There are also people whose seizures are brought about by excessive drinking of
alcohol; drugs that are recreational in nature and from sleep lack.
Stress also plays a part in increasing the frequency of seizures.
Be safe anywhere and everywhere
There are certain situations that are high risk for someone with epilepsy. Some
of these activities are scuba diving, mountain climbing, hang-gliding, and so
should very well be avoided. However, it is important that life should not be
restricted when one has epilepsy.
Swimming is possible, however it is vital that someone is knowledgeable of
epilepsy and knows the exact thing to do when a seizure does occur.
The attendant of the pool must also be informed.
When inside the home, showers are actually a lot safer compared to the bath.
However, baths should be shallow and that the door to the bathroom must always
be unlocked when someone with epilepsy is taking a bath.
Guards should also be used in open fires, cookers and radiators. Also, using a
microwave is a lot more advisable compared to using cookers.
Also, if you observe that your seizures have caused you to fall a lot more
times, using a helmet for protection is extremely advisable.
Using alarms that are automatically triggered by such falls is especially
important for those people with epilepsy who live alone.
First aid for those with epilepsy
When a seizure does occur, the best way to handle it is by moving any dangerous
or lethal objects a good distance from the person who has the seizures.
Immediately move the epileptic person if he or she is in a very dangerous place
such as on a road or at the top stairs.
Be with the person having the seizures until their full recovery.
When a convulsion does occur, make sure that you monitor just how long these
seizures last. This is because such prolonged seizures could require immediate
medical help.
Also, it is important that nothing be placed inside the mouth of the person
having the seizure. There is really no danger of the person swallowing their
own tongue, though placing an object inside the person’s mouth could damage the
teeth.
What is necessary is placing a pillow or anything soft under the head of the
person having the seizure in order to prevent any injury.
Restricting the movements brought about by the convulsions should be avoided as
this could hurt yourself or the person.
Any clothing that is too tight on the neck should be loosened. This includes
necklaces. Once the convulsion has subsided, turn that person to his left and
try to remain with that person until they are able to fully recover from the
seizure.
Nothing should obstruct their breathing.
However, if the convulsions are longer than 5 minutes or if the convulsions are
repeating themselves, it is best to contact an ambulance.
When driving, a person who has had a seizure must inform the DVLA or Driver
Vehicle Licensing Authority.
When at work, professions that are barred by the law as not for those who have
epilepsy include being a pilot for an aircraft, driver for an ambulance, taxi
driver, a seaman, armed service, fireman, and police officer.
All in all, epilepsy is manageable as long as you are prepared with the
necessary precautions to prevent it as well as know what to do once the seizures
occur.
>>> Table of Contents
Epilepsy News:
MSN
Live Search: epilepsy site:msnbc.msn.com
Search results
FDA probes suicide link to epilepsy drugs - Mental health- msnbc.com
The Food and Drug Administration has begun a preliminary inquiry into whether epilepsy drugs might increase the risk of suicidal behavior in some patients.
Push to prevent epilepsy after brain injury - More health news- msnbc ...
Survivors of traumatic brain injuries ? from car-crash victims to soldiers wounded in Iraq ? face an extra hurdle as they recover: Thousands of them will develop epilepsy ...
Epilepsy patients advised to try newer treatments - More health news ...
The number of drugs approved to treat epilepsy has doubled in the past decade, offering long-needed alternatives to some patients. But too few doctors know how to best use the new ...
Epilepsy drug shown to reverse obesity in rats - Diet and nutrition ...
An epilepsy drug being tested for use in treating addiction can help obese rats shed weight, government researchers said on Wednesday.
FDA strengthens epilepsy drug warnings - Health care- msnbc.com
The FDA Wednesday strengthened warnings on certain drugs used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder and nerve pain.
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Google
epilepsy - Google News
epilepsy - Google News
Removing Part Of Brain Controls Girl's Epilepsy - Science Daily (press releas...
Removing Part Of Brain Controls Girl's Epilepsy
Science Daily (press release) - 5 hours ago
She has come a long way from the time when she was heavily medicated and lethargic, and has even become a spokesperson for the Epilepsy Foundation's ...
Cyberonics Reports Strong Sales Growth and Profitability in Fiscal ... - Mark...
Cyberonics Reports Strong Sales Growth and Profitability in Fiscal ...
MarketWatch - 21 hours ago
Net sales of $36.0 million, a 24% increase from $28.9 million, -- Net US product sales attributable to the epilepsy indication increased by an estimated 32% ...
Cyberonics Swings To Q2 Profit On Top Line Growth; Lifts FY09 ... RTT News
all 458 news articles
November Is National Epilepsy Awareness Month - Kansas City infoZine
November Is National Epilepsy Awareness Month
Kansas City infoZine, MO - 9 hours ago
Jefferson City, MO - infoZine - Missourians made more visits to emergency room hospitals for epilepsy in 2006 compared to 2000, and educating people about ...
U.Va.'s Dr. Jaideep Kapur Named Vice President of American ... - University o...
U.Va.'s Dr. Jaideep Kapur Named Vice President of American ...
University of Virginia, VA - 14 hours ago
Internationally recognized for his research in epilepsy, Kapur's laboratory is concerned with understanding the mechanisms underlying status epilepticus, ...
Gene Associated With Epilepsy Discovered - Science Daily (press release)
Gene Associated With Epilepsy Discovered
Science Daily (press release) - Nov 18, 2008
18, 2008) ? A University of Iowa-led international research team has found a new gene associated with the brain disorder epilepsy. While the PRICKLE1 gene ...
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Yahoo!
Yahoo! News Search Results for epilepsy
Yahoo! News Search Results for epilepsy
Removing Part Of Brain Controls Girl's Epilepsy (Science Daily)
Surgeons told Jessica Nelson one of the scariest things she will ever hear as a parent: they wanted to treat her daughter's epilepsy by cutting out or disconnecting half of her brain. Then something extraordinary happened: it worked.
International Team Finds Gene Associated With Epilepsy (Medical News Today)
A University of Iowa-led international research team has found a new gene associated with the brain disorder epilepsy. While the PRICKLE1 gene mutation was specific to a rare form of epilepsy, the study results could help lead to new ideas for overall epilepsy treatment. The findings, which involved nearly two dozen institutions from six different countries, appear in the Nov.
Epilepsy Foundation (KAMR Amarillo)
A local non-profit association has now become a national chapter. The High Plains Epilepsy Association has been in West Texas for over 30 years. They serve 79 counties in the panhandle. And today they are being named the newest chapter of the Epilepsy Foundation of America.
Discovery of new gene linked to epilepsy (News-Medical-Net)
A University of Iowa-led international research team has found a new gene associated with the brain disorder epilepsy.
November Is National Epilepsy Awareness Month (Kansas City InfoZine)
Condition is most often managed with prescription medications
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