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Quickly View Our Top 8 Tools for People with Epilepsy
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the nervous system, also known as a seizure disorder. Typically, it is diagnosed after a person has had at least two seizures (or after one seizure with a high risk for more) that were not caused by some known medical condition. Symptoms differ from person to person and according to the type of seizure.
Epilepsy seizures are classified in two basic categories: focal and generalized.
Focal
During a focal seizure, you remain fully aware of what’s happening around you, even if you can’t move or respond. This type of seizure used to be called a simple partial seizure. What happens during a focal seizure depends on which area (lobe) of the brain is affected and whether the seizure spreads to affect other areas. Most focal aware seizures are brief, lasting between a few seconds and 2 minutes. What happens after a focal seizure varies from person to person. You might feel confused or tired for some time afterwards. Some people find they have temporary weakness or can’t move part of their body after they’ve had a seizure.
Generalized
A generalized seizure may also be known as a grand mal seizure. During a generalized seizure, your muscles stiffen and become rigid. Then, you experience violent muscle contractions in which the muscles move in quick, random spasms. You may lose consciousness or black out, so that you’re no longer aware of what’s happening. After the seizure, you may have no memory of the event. You may also experience drowsiness, headaches, confusion, or temporary weakness on one side of the body.
What Causes Epilepsy?
Causes of epilepsy vary by age of the person. Some people with no clear cause of epilepsy may have a genetic tendency passed down from one or both parents. However, a genetic tendency might not have been inherited, but can be a new change in the person’s genes.
Other causes include a structural (sometimes called 'symptomatic') change in the brain, such as the brain not developing properly, or damage caused by a brain injury, infections like meningitis, a stroke or a tumor. Structural changes due to genetic conditions such as tuberous sclerosis, or neurofibromatosis, can also cause growths affecting the brain. Even if seizures start after a brain injury or other structural change, this may be due to both the structural change and the person's genetic tendency to seizures, combined. 1
Identifying triggers for seizures varies between people. It is often a combination of factors rather than a single incident that can trigger epilepsy. Some of the most reported triggers are:
- Lack of sleep
- Illness or fever
- Stress
- Bright lights, flashing lights, or patterns
- Caffeine, alcohol, medicines, or drugs
- Skipping meals, overeating, or specific food ingredients
The Epilepsy Foundation suggests that people living with the disease keep a journal with documentation of seizures. Documenting your seizures allows you to record your medical history, side effects, moods, or other personal experiences with epilepsy. You can also track changes over time and keep records of your medications. A dated journal with detailed notes can be useful when visiting your neurologist.
How to Deliver Epilepsy First Aid
Epilepsy first aid includes care and comfort steps that should be done for anyone during or after a seizure. When administering first aid, it is important to remain calm and talk reassuringly to the person. Look for a medical ID and look at your watch to time the seizure from beginning to end. Timing the seizure will help you determine if emergency help is needed. Make sure to move or guide the person away from harmful or sharp objects. If in a public space, encourage others to step back and give the person some room.
If the person having a seizure is not awake and aware of what is happening, you will need to turn the person on their side. This prevents saliva from blocking their airway and helps the person breathe more easily. During a convulsion, it may look like the person has stopped breathing. This happens when the chest muscles tighten during the tonic phase of a seizure. As this part of a seizure ends, the muscles will relax, and breathing will resume normally.
If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or the person has difficulty breathing, you will need to call 911. Once the person is alert and able to communicate, calmly explain to them what happened. Offer to stay with the person until they are ready to go back to normal activity. For more information on providing first aid for seizure procedure, check out the Epilepsy Foundation.
8 Household Tools for Epilepsy
The home is the most common place for seizure-related accidents. Making simple changes in your household may create a safer environment and reduce the risk of serious injuries. The individual's seizure type and frequency will dictate the type of changes that you might need to make. Consult with your doctor’s office and ask for a home safety evaluation to determine what assistive device is right for you.
- Alarm Monitors: Alarm systems, such as bed and chair sensor pads, may be useful in alerting someone in case of a fall. If the user's body weight is removed from the sensor pads, the pads will disengage, and an alarm will sound. The audible alarm allows caregivers to then intervene. In addition, bed rail wedges can help minimize the risk of injuries during seizures.
- Protective Headgear: People with seizures who frequently fall should consider wearing protective headgear. Not all headgear can eliminate serious injuries caused by falls, but the padded helmets can help reduce the risk. To determine the best headgear for your individual situation, talk to your doctor or a medical professional before purchasing
- Pill Organizers: If you’ve been diagnosed with epilepsy, usually a doctor will prescribe some type of anti-seizure medication. Having trouble remembering to take your epilepsy medications on time? There are several medication reminders and automatic pill dispensers designed to improve medication compliance, which can lead to reduced seizures.
- Aromatherapy: Some essential oils can be absorbed into the bloodstream, causing the chemicals in your body to change. These chemical changes greatly affect what triggers the body to seizure. Essential oils such as Chamomile, Cedarwood, Jasmine, Lavender, and Ylang Ylang can help soothe the nervous system and help it to balance itself out1
- Home Care and Daily Living: Your home can carry many potential risks for people living with epilepsy. A shower chair may help reduce the risk of injury if you fall during a seizure. Gripping aids or adaptive eating utensils can also help stabilize shaky hands, assisting those who require a stronger grip or a sustained grasp to perform daily activities
While these products aren’t treatments for epilepsy and don’t prevent seizures, they can provide peace of mind.
References
- Anonymous. (2020). Epilepsy: Seizure Types, Symptoms and Treatment Options. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/35npajP
- Pietrangelo, Anne. (2018). Everything You Need to Know About Epilepsy. Healthline. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/31ujd3h
- Schachter, Steven. (2013). Safety at Home with Seizures. Epilepsy Foundation, Retrieved from https://bit.ly/37KdudZ
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
