• About Cholesterol
• About Diabetes
• About EEG test
• About EEMG test
• About Epilepsy
• About Fainting(Syncope)
• About Headaches
• About Myasthenia Gravis
• About Parkinson's disease
• About Peripheral Neurothrapy
• About Spondylosis
• About Stroke
• About Oral Anticoagulants

Your doctor will ask about the details of your seizures. It is important that you describe your symptoms as complete as possible. How you felt before and after the seizure are important points that can help in making the diagnosis. An eyewitness account is very important. Your doctor will perform an EEG test (electroencephalograph). Further investigations such as CT scan or MRI scan and blood tests will depend on your symptoms.

Yes. It is important that you take medicines regularly, even when you aren't having seizures. Like for any other chronic disease such as diabetes and asthma, medicines are given to control seizures. The medicines should be taken continuously and not even a single dose should be skipped. It is dangerous to stop medicines suddenly or to alter the dosage. This can lead to continuous seizures that may cause serious complications or even death. Such changes should be done only after consulting your doctor. Remember, the commonest cause for seizure recurrence is failure to take medicines regularly. If you think you may forget to take medicines, have other family members cross check every time the medicine is due. Even if seizures are well controlled, you must take medicines regularly and see your doctor periodically.
Medicines required for each patient will differ and hence it will take a few weeks to determine the optimal dosage for you. You should know which medicines you are taking. A record of seizure frequency should be maintained in a diary to see if seizure frequency is reducing with medicines.

Usually you should take your medicine as soon as you know you forgot your dose. If more than 24 hours have passed since your last dose, report to your doctor. You should always have 2 weeks reserve stock of medicine.

No. The amount of medicine you take is carefully set for your own needs. No extra medicine should be taken without your doctor's approval.

In majority of cases, the cause for epilepsy cannot be precisely established and it is due to a general predisposition that is triggered by various situations. In a few cases, a structural abnormality such as scar may be identified during evaluation. In such cases, your doctor will evaluate whether you are a candidate for epilepsy surgery.

Whenever you see another doctor for a different illness, inform him about your epilepsy.

You can reduce the risk of a seizure by the following:

• Ensure adequate sleep
• Avoid excess stress
• Have optimal exercise and avoid excess physical fatigue
• Avoid alcohol
• Have a balanced diet
• Have meals at regular times and avoid fasting

Remember, epilepsy is only a small part of your life. A responsible person with epilepsy can lead a normal life. Avoid self-pity and do not focus on any setbacks. Don't worry constantly about having a seizure. You should remain active both mentally and physically. However, you should avoid activities involving getting into water or climbing heights. You should avoid working near fire, water, moving machinery or with public transportation. You should not drive a vehicle until your doctor permits you. Keep an identity card in your pocket so that in case a seizure does happen, people will know what to do. If you are having seizures frequently, do not lock yourself inside the bathroom or bedroom. You should become a member of a self-help group such as the Indian Epilepsy Association.

A responsible adult patient can usually marry and have a normal family life. You should talk to your physician before taking the decision. You should be open concerning your illness. Generally speaking, marriages among close relatives may be avoided. A person with epilepsy can maintain a strong, healthy relationship with the spouse.

Pregnancy should be planned in consultation with your doctor. More than 95% of children of epileptic mothers are healthy; rarely are they affected. Uncontrolled seizures can affect the unborn baby. Epilepsy medicines may also affect the unborn baby. There appears to be a slightly increased risk of anomalies in children whose mothers were taking medications for epilepsy. However the risk of harm to the child is more if medicines are reduced or stopped without medical advice. Use of folic acid before conception can reduce the risk of anomalies. Vitamin K may be given to the baby after delivery. The chances for children of epileptic parents to have seizures are low.

It may be possible for most people with epilepsy to stop taking medicines. However, your doctor will decide when this can be done. Before your doctor decides to stop medicines, several issues will be considered. These include how quickly your seizures were controlled with medicines, how long you have been free of seizures and whether you have other illnesses. If these issues are favourable and you have been free of seizures for 3 to 5 years, your doctor may begin to reduce the dosage of medicines and after a few months may sometimes stop them. However your doctor will decide these issues. Even after stopping medicines, lifestyle precautions should still be adhered to.

If you see someone having a seizure, use the following general guidelines:

• Stay calm
• Place the person on the floor
• Don't try to restrain the person
• Move away items that could cause injury if the person falls or bumps into them
• Remove spectacles and try to loosen any tight clothing
• Don't move the person to another place
• Gently turn the person on his side so any fluid in the mouth can safely come out. Never try to force the mouth open or put anything into it.
• Onlookers and helpers should not crowd around the patient
• When the seizure is over, watch the person for signs of confusion. Allow the person to rest or sleep. One should stay nearby till the patient becomes fully alert. No food or drink should be given till then.
• Seek medical help

Sometimes a person with seizure may get a warning signal or premonition that he may get an attack. If so, the person should inform nearby persons and take precautions to ensure his safety.