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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffPeople who've had grand mal seizures are advised not to swim unless wearing a life preserver because there is a real risk of drowning if a seizure occurs when you're in the water. It's recommended that people who've had seizures take showers instead of baths for the same reason. Seizures also can produce injuries associated with falling, such as joint dislocations, head injury and fractures. Sometimes, the force of the seizure itself results in injury. In extreme cases, seizures can be fatal, particularly if medication is not taken consistently or properly.
A seizure that produces either loss of awareness or control can be dangerous if you're driving a car or operating other equipment. Most states have licensing restrictions for driving for people with a history of seizures. For children, seizure disorders may result in limitations on physical activities in school.
- Ropper AH, et al. Epilepsy and other seizure disorders. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical Pub. Division; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3632229. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Seizures and epilepsy: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm?css=print. Accessed April 24, 2009.
- Seizure disorders. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec16/ch214/ch214a.html. Accessed April 26, 2009.
- Stafstrom CE, et al. Pathophysiology of seizures and epilepsy. http://www.uptodate.com/index/home.html. Accessed April 17, 2009.
- Sheth RD. Epilepsy in infancy and childhood. In: Rakel RE, et al. Rakel & Bope: Conn's Current Therapy 2008. 60th ed. Philadelphia, Penn.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/134947244-2/834264406/1621/460.html?printi. Accessed April 26, 2009.
- Elger CE. Modern management of epilepsy: A practical approach. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2008;12:501.
- Practice parameter update: Management issues for women with epilepsy - Focus on pregnancy (an evidence based review): Teratogenesis and perinatal outcomes. St. Paul, Minn.: American Academy of Neurology. http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/WNL.0b013e3181a6b312v1. Accessed April 27, 2009.
- Britton JW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 14, 2009.
