How to manage Epilepsy

Battling epilepsy is a journey that no one should have to take alone. Living with seizures affects your daily life and can take a toll on your physical and mental wellbeing. The support from your family, friends, and doctors will go a long way in making this journey easier.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that causes seizures or periods of abnormal behavior. It can also cause loss of awareness in some people. Also known as a seizure disorder, it affects all races, genders, and ages. When having an epileptic seizure, electrical communication between the neurons in your brain is disrupted. Because of this abnormal brain activity, epilepsy symptoms can vary and may include:

  • Confusion
  • Staring spells or loss of awareness
  • Fear or anxiety
  • Uncontrollable jerking movements
  • Loss of consciousness

But having epilepsy in Australia does not mean living in fear. With our wonderful doctors, a solid support system, and a self-management plan, you can live a long, happy, fruitful life.

Epilepsy Self-Management

Managing your epilepsy at home can be easy with the right information, resources, support team, and skills.

The first step in self-management is finding your support team outside of the doctors. It usually consists of family and friends. This group will be your guidance system, sounding board, and the first responder should a seizure occur while they are around. Some of the other items you will want to be aware of are:

First Aid - Learn seizure first aid, and teach your support team what to do in the event of a seizure. Teach your team to check for a medical alert bracelet, when to call 911, and what to do to keep you safe.

Rescue Therapies - Know what your rescue therapy medicine is and remember where you keep it. Let your friends and family know where it is, and show them how to administer it should they need to. Make sure they understand that this medication is different from your daily anti-seizure medicine.

Track Your Seizures - Use a diary to track your seizures. Keep track of any trends, differences, and progress. If your seizures are different than what they have been in the past, alert your doctor.

Take Your Medication Faithfully - Get yourself on a schedule, taking your epilepsy medication(s) at the same time each day. This will help you remember to take the medication(s) and avoid missed doses. Too many missed doses can lead to seizures.

Assess Your Risks - When do your seizures occur? What activity are you doing? Can you avoid it? What is the risk of injury to yourself or others? Take simple precautions to avoid your triggers when you can or safeguards to protect yourself when you can't. Decide which activities are worth the risk and which are not.  Modify your lifestyle as needed.

Get a Bracelet - A MediBand medical ID bracelet or necklace could save your life when your support team is not around. Keep one on you and an extra one handy to help with an emergency.

epilepsy, epilepsy medication, what is epilepsy, mediband, seizure, seizures, medical bracelet, medical wristbandFind Additional Resources - Read books, scour the internet, find a support group either locally or online. These resources can help answer questions, build your confidence, and help you feel secure in your everyday life. 

Managing your epilepsy can become easier with a support system, a solid routine, and a bit of trial and error. Use the tools you have available to you to help make your life more fruitful and make others aware of your situation when necessary. Implement safety measures as needed in your home, vehicles, and other places you frequently visit. But remember, these measures shouldn't stop you from living, just help you live life to the fullest.