About Epilepsy
Medicine
- Use your medicine in the quantity and time indicated by the doctor and pharmacy. Don’t rely on yourself alone. Taking an incorrect dosage can have serious and dangerous consequences and may trigger a seizure.
- Avoid things that may trigger seizures.
You need to know what circumstances and factors can trigger seizures around you. However, three aspects always remain important:
Manage stress
- Do 30 minutes of exercise every day
- Address new health problems
- Don’t take on more tasks or responsibilities than you can handle
- Stay in close contact with those who support you
If you feel overwhelmed, consult a professional counselor
Ensure sufficient sleep
- Set a fixed time to go to sleep and wake up.
- Preferably sleep in a quiet room, with a comfortable temperature.
- Avoid or limit naps, or take them earlier in the afternoon.
- Avoid consuming products with caffeine, and avoid using alcohol, cigarettes, and other tobacco products before bedtime.
Seek support
- Talking to others about your condition can have positive effects. With more explanation and understanding, others may feel better prepared to support you in your daily life or help you in an emergency.
It should be possible for every person confronted with epilepsy to have in their hands all the necessary information to know how to manage their life with epilepsy.
Factors that can provoke seizures
These vary from person to person. It is essential for you to identify what triggers seizures in your case. Here is a list of some factors:
- Failure to take medication
- Intense emotional stress or situations
- Dehydration (due to insufficient fluid intake, illness such as vomiting, or alcohol use)
- Lack of sleep (poor quality sleep or insufficient sleep) or extreme fatigue
- Hormonal changes (menstrual cycle in women)
- Use of alcohol or drugs
- Bright lights or flickering lights
- Specific times of the day or night
- High fever
- Poor nutrition or low blood sugar levels
- Certain foods, excessive caffeine, or other stimulant-containing products
- Certain medications