The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

Understanding your condition can help you control it.

  • Take your medication correctly. Don't take it upon yourself to adjust your dosage levels. Instead, talk to your doctor if you feel something should be changed.
  • Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation is a powerful trigger of seizures. Be sure to get adequate rest every night.
  • Wear a medical alert bracelet. This will help emergency personnel know how to treat you correctly.

In addition, make healthy life choices such as managing stress, limiting alcoholic beverages and avoiding cigarettes.

Coping and support Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Seizures and epilepsy: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm. Accessed Feb. 11, 2011.
  2. Schachter SC. Evaluation of the first seizure in adults. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 10, 2011.
  3. First aid for seizures. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/firstaid/index.cfm. Accessed Feb. 11, 2011.
  4. Frequently asked questions. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/faq/. Accessed Feb. 11, 2011.
  5. Schachter SC. Overview of the management of epilepsy in adults. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 11, 2011.
  6. Ottman R, et al. Comorbidities of epilepsy: Results from the Epilepsy Comorbidities and Health (EPIC) survey. Epilepsia. 2011;52:308.
  7. Use of antiepileptic drugs in epilepsy and the risk of self-harm or suicidal behavior. Neurology. 2010;75:335.
  8. Prolonged or serial seizures (status epilepticus). Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/types/statusepilepticus.cfm. Accessed Feb. 12, 2011.
  9. Schacter SC. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2011.
  10. Pre-surgical evaluation. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/treatment/surgery/evaluation.cfm. Accessed Feb. 12, 2011.
  11. Hirsch LJ, et al. Neuroimaging in the evaluation of seizures and epilepsy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2011.
  12. Karcesky S. Initial treatment of epilepsy in adults. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2011.
  13. Kossoff EH. The ketogenic diet. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2011.
  14. Epilepsy. National Center for Biotechnology Information. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001714. Accessed Feb. 13, 2011.
  15. Tips for living. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/quickstart/newlydiagnosed/qsliving/idvtips.cfm. Accessed Feb. 14, 2011.
  16. So E (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 14, 2011.
DS00342 April 28, 2011

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger