According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 3.5 million have epilepsy in America. Living with epilepsy is a daunting task. You don’t know when you will get your next seizure attack. But, with a little care and precautions, you can make your life a little bit easier despite having epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a chronic disease that can cause recurrent seizures. A seizure is a condition where there is an abnormal electrical impulse activity in your brain. Epilepsy can be diagnosed by the doctor if you get two or more seizures in 24 hours without any known source. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.

Living with Epilepsy

Epilepsy can affect your lifestyle and freedom. Managing epilepsy is not just managing your seizures with medicines; it involves making changes in your daily routine and work, school, home, travel, and transportation. Here are a few suggestions to make life easier for you and your family.

Taking care of your Diet:

By making changes in your diet, you decrease the chances of having seizures. The best diet is a ketogenic diet, that focuses on eating more fats with every meal. It has been proven that a low-carb and low-protein diet helps to decrease seizures. This diet was initially designed for children to follow if they have epilepsy, but adults can also follow this.

What you should avoid eating (or eat within limits):

• Refined carbohydrates: foods like pizza, soft drinks, white bread, cake, white rice, white pasta, bagels, and chips.
• Some fruits and vegetables: food like mangos, raisins, bananas, mashed potatoes, and dates.
• Monosodium Glutamate: Avoid this completely because it increases the chances of having epilepsy.
• Ginkgo nuts: eat a very limited amount of these nuts (in large quantities it’s toxic to nerves).

Foods that are recommended:

• Whole grains, brown rice, whole wheat bread, pasta.
• Meat and seafood.
• Fruits and vegetables.
• Butter and oil.

It can be hard to change your entire diet at once. But to make life easy, you need to make small changes in your eating habits.

Tips to stay safe with epilepsy:

You should take safety measures in your home, office, driving, or school, to avoid injury or accident.

1. Safety measures at home:

• If you live alone give a spare key to your friends and family members so that they can help you if you have a seizure.
• Make sure there are no trailing/open wires on the floor to avoid burning or fire hazards.
• Wherever possible, use cordless appliances.
• Take a shower (instead of bathing in the bathtub) to avoid drowning hazards, also if possible- sit, while taking a shower.
• Cover stone floors with carpets to avoid head injury (in case you fall when having a seizure).
• Use anti-suffocation pillows for better and safer sleep.
• Use a teapot pourer or kettle tippers, to avoid spilling hot liquid.
• Use the microwave instead of electric cookers or a gas oven.
• Avoid sharp-edged objects and furniture, instead, opt for rounded corners in tables and furniture or babyproof your home to avoid getting hurt.

2. Safety measures when outside:

• Always carry your medical id card with you, so that people know who to call for help.
• Do not wander off to unknown places alone, if you like to take walks, go to a place/park near your home.
• Make sure you have some medical tracking device with you.
• Use taxis if necessary and avoid driving alone.
• Shop online for groceries and things you need instead of going out.
• If you cycle, wear your safety gear (like a helmet, gloves, knee pads, etc.).
• Plan your journey in advance, so that you can pack all your medical supplies and devices.

3. Safety measures when driving:

• If you feel uneasy or feel like you are about to have a seizure, make sure you stop the vehicle immediately.
• Try to avoid driving as much as you can.
• Avoid driving at night and in heavy traffic areas.
• Avoid trigger situations.
• Make sure you are taking your medications regularly.
• Avoid driving if you are asked to increase the dose of the medication.

4. Safety measures while travelling:

• Discuss your travel plans with your doctor before traveling.
• Keep your safety gear along, if you are traveling by bike.
• If you are travelling by car, take frequent breaks, avoid driving at night, and keep your medication with you.
• If you are traveling on an airplane, consult your doctor first, keep your medication with you, travel with a companion, and tell the airways service about your epilepsy so that they make it necessary arrangements to help you if you get any problems.
• Make a list of all the medicines and devices you need to manage seizures when traveling and keep them in your medicine box with your handbag (not your check-in).
• If you are traveling by bus or train, don’t roam around the station (because it increases the chances of you getting injured if you fall on the railway track).

5. Safety measures at work:

• Use elevators instead of stairs.
• Make sure your boss/manager and colleagues know about your condition.
• Avoid walking on hard floors, cover sharp corners, avoid corners of tables, etc.
• If you work in a factory always wear protective gear like a helmet, gloves, etc.
• Make sure you have an emergency contact number in case of an emergency.

6. Safety measures for kids:

• Avoid giving them baths in the bathtub, instead, use a shower.
• Leave the bathroom door unlocked when taking a shower.
• Make sure someone is present in the house when they are bathing.
• Make sure they wear protective gear while cycling.
• Give them medication at the exact time as prescribed.
• Do not hold, restrain or try to stop their movements when they are having a seizure. Put them on the ground gently. And call the emergency care at once.
• Monitor their seizure attacks or medications for any side effects. So, doctors know what kind of medications to prescribe to help improve their condition.
• Educate their friends and school teachers about their condition, so that they can help him in case of an emergency.
• Give them an emergency contact no. (to memorize and keep) in case any adult family member is not with them.

Epilepsy is a serious health disease with no cure. You can’t stop a seizure attack, but by taking these precautions you can reduce the chances of having injuries. Also, educate people around you so that they can help you or call the emergency care provider if you have a seizure.

Doral Health and Wellness has several urgent care clinics around New York that can cater to your family’s medical needs. We also have the best medical providers, physicians and staff that are highly trained in their respective specialties. To know more about the locations of our urgent care clinics, you can visit us at Doral Health and Wellness. If you are looking for urgent care near you, you can visit Doral Health and Wellness Urgent Care. We provide urgent care for common illnesses and injuries. Additionally, we also provide comprehensive care for any related injuries and health problems. We also offer other services, such as vaccinations, immunizations, and blood testing. For more info, visit us or call 1-347-384-5690.