What Things Should Epilepsy Patients Not Do?
Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that causes fits or seizures. In most cases, these seizures are unexpected, and come without warning signs. In the event of a seizure, some normal activities can become dangerous. Epilepsy patients can live relatively ordinary lives with treatment, but they do need to pay attention to habits and activities that could be hazardous.
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Driving
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A seizure while driving could cause you to lose control of the car, creating a hazard for yourself and others on the road. For this reason, many states will not permit epilepsy patients to drive unless they have no recent history of seizures, according to MedlinePlus. The inability to drive can severely curtail your activities, making it tempting to get behind the wheel. However, unless your doctor says it's safe for you to drive, this activity is dangerous.
Water Activities
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Epilepsy patients should never bathe unattended. Showers are generally considered to be safe, but sitting in a bath carries the risk of drowning, should a seizure happen. Parents of epileptic children should not allow them to bathe unattended. Epilepsy patients should never swim alone, due to the increased risk of drowning. Scuba diving is also a problem sport for epilepsy sufferers, though swimming and snorkeling in groups is usually safe.
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Sports
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Some epilepsy patients avoid sports entirely, because of the risk of seizure. However, exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of seizures. Epilepsy patients can participate in most sports, but should take care to wear appropriate protective gear. Avoid solo sports, like sky diving and hang gliding; high-altitude sports, like mountain climbing or bungee jumping; and contact sports, like boxing and wrestling unless your seizures are well controlled. If you walk, cycle or jog, let someone know the route you'll be taking.
Stairs
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People who suffer from seizures that impair their motor control or cause them to lose consciousness may also need to avoid stairs and steep inclines. Serious injuries may occur if this kind of seizure happens on a staircase. Epilepsy patients who get an aura before they have a seizure can use stairs, but need to sit down immediately if a seizure is likely to occur. Patients who do not get auras should use the elevator at all times.
Uncontrolled Seizures
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Epilepsy patients who have uncontrolled seizures must avoid an additional set of activities, due to the increased chances of a seizure. These include horseback riding, gymnastics, skiing, motor sports, any activity on ice, and water sports done alone--like wind surfing and solo sailing. Bicycling on the road may also be a problem. These activities are safer for patients whose seizures are controlled by anti-epileptic drugs, though these drugs can impair sporting performance.
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- Photo Credit hang-glider image by Piotr Rydzkowski from Fotolia.com
