Epilepsy causes frequent seizures to the person diagnosed with it.
And although there are times when you have control over their seizures through the use of medications, there may also be times when you cannot avoid an injury because seizures occur without prior notice.
Injuries during the seizure usually depend on the setting or the degree and frequency of seizures from the person.
#1 Educate Your Family Members:
It’s probably best if your family members know what to do if you, a person diagnosed with epilepsy, are having seizures. Being knowledgeable about this chronic noncommunicable brain disease has its benefits, especially in making sure that minimal to no injury might happen to you or your loved ones during seizures.
What to do:
- Remain calm.
- Gently placing a pillow or any type of cushion under their head to avoid injuries in the head.
- If no cushion is available, lay the person on their side as a safeguard for the head.
- Clear the area. Ensure that nothing surrounding the person having a seizure can be knocked over and cause injuries.
- Stay with your loved one for the whole duration of the seizure until it stops.
- Record the time when the seizure started and ended. This can help if emergency responders are needed on the scene.
#2 Learn to Know and Control your Seizures
If you have frequent seizures, as a person diagnosed with epilepsy, it’s best if you understand your triggers to prevent them from occasionally happening.
Doctors say that seizures are often linked to your everyday pattern in life. They correlate to some things you do that can be a trigger for an epileptic seizure. May it be your habits, foods, drinks and alcohol, stress, and even the use of drugs.
Although you may not anticipate a few other factors that can trigger an epileptic seizure, by taking these precautionary steps, you’re able to mitigate the occurrences of your seizures.
#3 Be Cautious and Aware of your Surroundings
Falling is inevitable when it comes to having epileptical seizures. But it doesn’t mean that you should be careless when taking a walk outdoors. Take some precautionary actions when you’re outside, like paying attention to what’s around you and where you are stepping. Also, it is better if you’re not staying too close and too long on the roads. Put yourself on the sidewalk as much as possible to avoid injuries from moving vehicles when your seizure comes.
#4 Wearing Some Appropriate Footwear
As mentioned, you must be aware of your footing and where you’ll be putting your next step. So to support this safety tip, one must wear proper shoes that would also be excellent support for your foot. Shoes that provide concrete stability and that have a slip-resistant aspect. Avoid shoes such as high-heels or open-toed sandals, which can cause you to slip.
#5 Choose the Right Type of Job
No matter how hardworking you are when it comes to jobs, seizures can still pose a danger to you and even your workmates. So, choosing the right type of job compatible with someone who has seizures is a must. Avoid jobs that might require driving and work with harmful tools and machinery. Choose jobs that don’t have heavy lifting errands that might cause injury to you. Schedules are also crucial since sleep deprivation causes epileptic seizures.
#6 Epilepsy Safety Measures in the Living Room and your Working Area at Home
Keeping your home clean and spacious can make it less of a danger zone when having epileptic seizures. Fewer decorations and furniture can make your home a literal safehouse. Keep any electrical cords away from your house corridors, floors, and hallways. These are very dangerous for, if left lying around, it can be hard to notice and might trip and fall you over. Keep your working area clear of any obstacles that can be found inside your home and make it “Fall Proof”.
#7 Kitchen Safety
The kitchen is also a standard danger zone for a person diagnosed with epilepsy.
The knives, ovens, stove burners, and grills can pose a huge risk and may cause injuries to you, even death. Glasswares are also dangerous, so those must be stored in a low and secure area or space, away from where people in the kitchen usually stand up. As much as possible, a person who experiences seizures shouldn’t cook. Give the task up to someone who can do the job safely without harming themselves and those around them.
#8 Bathroom Safety
Bathrooms have hard surfaces such as the floors, toilet bowl, bathtub, sinks, and even a couple of mirrors. Wet floors pose a risk because they can become slippery, resulting in falling and hitting your head. You can add non-slip bathroom shower mats that can make it less slippery during your shower time. Handlebars or metal railings may also be a viable option to add to our bathroom. These function as a holder for you when you have your private matters in the shower.
#9 Elevators Over Stairs
They say that stairs are far better than elevators, but not this time. In this circumstance, it’s better to use the elevator than the stairs because a seizure might cause you to fall and stumble down the stairs, inevitably getting injured and even taking your own life away. So whether it’s in the mall or at your workplace, see to it that you choose the elevator rather than the stairs.
#10 Get the Word Out
It is a great idea to spread the word amongst other people. Even if your family knows a few tips on preventing injuries caused by epilepsy or epileptic seizures, your neighbors and some people in your community should be aware and knowledgeable enough so they can give a helping hand whenever you need it. You can also include your co-workers and other people you interact with regularly. You can never really predict when your seizures might pop up, so it’s much better to know that quite a few people can help you at any given time.
Epilepsy can cause injuries and sometimes can be life-threatening. There are different types of epileptic seizures, which includes how frequent they are to happen and to what degree they may be able to cause while it’s happening. That is why some doctors require their patients to undergo clinical trials for epilepsy to gain a clearer view of the illness and may be able to indicate some factors that can negatively affect the person in the long run.
Assess the risks around you, including your home, work, and even your daily activities and habits. Keep yourself away from ‘Danger Zones’ that might cause you injuries and, even worse, death. Get yourself enough rest and avoid being sleep-deprived. Take your prescribed medications to keep the rise of your seizures at bay.
Lastly, never ever forget to spread the word to every person you know, especially those you have close relations with and those you regularly encounter daily. They can be of assistance when the right time comes.