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Epilepsy Prevention

Epilepsy: Prevention


Top Prevention

1. Surgery

This is perhaps the last resort for preventing epilepsy seizures. It is a dangerous operation and can have some serious side effects. The part of the brain which is causing the seizures is removed. But it is not necessary that this operation will always be successful, also it can affect eyesight, speech and memory.

2. Get a tranquilizer injection

This method is useful for those who are already suffering from acute seizures. It has been observed that injecting drugs such as diazepam or lorazepam shortly after a seizure has begun has proven to be effective in stopping the seizure.

3. Ask your neurologist about vagus nerve stimulation

According to Mayo Clinic, a vagus nerve stimulator is device which is very much similar in the form of a pacemaker. This stimulator is implanted beneath the skin of the chest. Wires from this device run to the vagus nerve in the neck. The nerve is stimulated by sending electrical signals to it. It is still not very clear why this method works, but it has proved to be very effective as it can lead to a 40% reduction in epilepsy seizures.

4. Schedule routine check ups with your neurologist

In addition to a primary care physician, you must also have a neurologist even if you are suffering from mild seizures resulting from epilepsy. Make sure that you get routine check ups from your neurologist. To determine whether the seizures are staying under control, your neurologist can order routing EEGs. This will provide him with an idea of the effectiveness of the present medication on you.

5. Get enough rest

Epilepsy can also be triggered by sleep deprivation and being overly tired. Therefore, it is very important for you to get enough rest, otherwise, the risk is surely going to increase.ย 

6. Learn to manage stress

Epilepsy seizures can be triggered by stress and anxiety, therefore, if you want to prevent epilepsy, you must learn to manage stress. You can learn some stress management techniques so that they can be applied when you begin experiencing the symptoms of a seizure. Rather than fearing of the seizure that is going to take place, try to focus on breathing and staying calm. There are several relaxation techniques which can lower the risk of having seizures such as deep breathing with your eyes closed, or you may even try sitting in a dark room. All these relaxation and stress management techniques considerably reduce the chances of a full blown seizure.

7. Ketogenic diet

You must try the ketogenic diet in order to prevent epilepsy. This diet is high in fiber and low in carbohydrates. The ketogenic diet has been found to be effective in 50% of the children who were diagnosed with epilepsy. A stay in the hospital is required and then management at home needs to be done. You can prevent the seizures from occurring if you stay on this diet.

8. Take your medications

Anti-seizure medications are often prescribed to the person having epilepsy. It is very important to take your medications as directed by your physician in order to avoid seizures. Also, the drugs need some time to build up in the patientโ€™s blood before they actually become effective. More medication can be ordered if one medication is not capable of preventing the seizures on its own. This is perhaps the most common way to treat seizures. It is also very important to consult with your doctor before switching to herbal remedies or stopping your medication.

9. Know your triggers

It is a well known fact that every epileptic has a trigger or set of triggers which will spark a seizure. This can be anything, such as flashing lights, lack of sleep or high stress situations. If you are aware of your triggers, then not only will you be able to avoid them, but also you can devise a plan of action for stopping your seizure as soon as it begins. It is important to know the triggers because each trigger may require a different plan to stop it.

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