Tips On Living With Epilepsy

Get to Know Your Epilepsy

Epilepsy can affect people at any point in their life. There’s no specific race or gender that have a higher incidence rate of epilepsy. Until now, there was no single cause of epilepsy. The causes of epilepsy range from head injuries to birth defects to tumors and strokes. There are a lot of factors that can contribute to the development of epilepsy in one person which might not affect another the same way. This is why epilepsy is considered a spectrum disorder.

Being familiar with the factors that may trigger a seizure can help. The most common seizure triggers are:

• Dehydration
• Lack of sleep
• Stress
• Mood changes
• Tough physical activity
• Heightened breathing
• Flickering lights
• Strobe-like movements

Some people with epilepsy feel warning signs right before they have a seizure. These signs are called auras. Warning signs could be a sudden feeling of disorientation, strange bodily sensations and difficulty interacting. Knowing and distinguishing these auras can help a person prepare for an imminent seizure.

Keep a Journal

The most effective way to be prepared for seizure triggers is make notes on the day you experience one and what happened during it. Doing so won’t only help you, but also your loved ones and doctor. They can be prepared for future episodes.

In addition, record what you felt physically and mentally before, during and after your seizure. As some seizures cause loss of consciousness, it will be helpful to ask your family, friends or colleagues who were around during your seizure. Talk to them so that you’ll know and understand the triggers that you didn’t notice.

Every case of epilepsy is different. Yes, you may have similar symptoms to other people but you will still have your own specific symptoms for your type of epilepsy. In the long run, you will see a pattern regarding the factors which can affect your seizures. Thus, you will now be prepared in the future.

Minimize Your Risk

Seizures are unpredictable; an episode can occur anywhere at any time. Follow the basic precautions below to help you prepare yourself as well as other people. 

Manage Your Stress

Controlling your stress is beneficial for your health. If stress is one of the factors that triggers your epilepsy, you need to find ways to lessen the tension you face. Yoga and meditation are two common techniques to relieve stress as both use relaxation techniques which can help ease tension and clear the mind.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Sleep plays a vital role in people with epilepsy. Getting enough rest and sleep can lessen the amount of seizures in some situations. The following are some steps you can take to make sure you get enough sleep:

• Eliminate noises
• Go to sleep at the same time every night
• Get rid of your electronics one hour before your bedtime 

Keep a record of your sleep patterns to help you determine the right sleeping habits for you. If you think you have a sleep disorder, talk to your doctor and he'll be able to help you with your problem. Most of the time, problems with sleeping make it harder for people with epilepsy to lessen their seizures.

Although epilepsy is a challenging condition, it does not mean it will rule your life. All you need to do is educate yourself on the factors that trigger your seizure. Anticipating the seizures can help prepare yourself and other people around you. Learning how to control your symptoms can lead to a satisfying and healthy life, even if you have epilepsy.