Epilepsy Awareness Day

Epilepsy is a chronic disease that causes a series of unprovoked seizures. There are an estimated 65 million people worldwide who suffer with one of the many types of epilepsy. Individuals with epilepsy may have experienced the symptoms of this disease more than once before being officially diagnosed. Once you have been diagnosed there are certain precautions you can take to mitigate the risks associated with this disease.

How to improve your control

• Follow your doctor’s orders by taking your medication– It may not be easy at first, especially when attempting to find the right dosage, but it is important that you inform your doctor about any negative side effects that may affect the way you function. One way in which you can find out if your medication is working for you is by tracking your intake and the effects each dosage has on you.

• Take note of your triggers– Many people who experience seizures have noticed that these events are triggered by certain situations, for example, struggling in high stress situations or bright flashing lights. Therefore, it’s important to note what events or situations trigger your seizures. This way you can learn to either avoid these situations or deal with them before a seizure happens.
• Manage stress– If your biggest trigger is stress, then perhaps it’s time to reach out to a mental health practitioner that can help you navigate these responses in a safe environment. We can’t always change the situations we are in but we can always think about how we respond to them to reduce stress.

Creating a seizure safe environment

The biggest risk to experiencing unprovoked seizures is that it may happen in an environment where people may fall and hurt themselves or others. Below we have formulated a list of things you can do in your home or even outdoors to make sure your environment is as seizure friendly as it can be.

• Prevent injuries when using the bathroom
• Make sure to use safety glass in your shower.
• Try to shower instead of bath if you can.
• Always leave the bathroom door unlocked so that your loved ones can tend to you.

• Prevent injuries while cooking
• Prevent spilling of hot substances by using the back burners.
• Wear oven mitts and use cups with lids for hot drinks.
• Get pre-sliced foods to avoid using a knives.

• Prevent injuries from unexpected falls
• Make sure there aren’t any sharp objects on the floor.
• Make sure you have smooth flooring such as carpeting or mats with thick padding.
• Make sure to cover sharp edged furniture.

For more information or resources on this topic, please contact:

Our CWS App

Contact any of fitness and nutrition experts to assist with any dietary and fitness requirements if you or your loved one struggles with epilepsy. You can also reach to our counsellors for any of your psychosocial needs.

Epilepsy SA

Email: info@epilepsy.org.za

Physical Address: C/O Cotte and Govan Mbeki Roads, Wetton, Cape Town

Postal Address: PO Box 586, Fourways North, 2085

Office Hours Phone Number: +27215563753