How to live a normal life with epilepsy?
New Delhi: Epilepsy can make even the simplest tasks seem difficult, creating feelings of irritation and frustration. Dealing with epilepsy can be emotionally and physically draining. This is why it becomes crucial to take proactive steps to effectively manage your condition. Here are some helpful tips to live a normal life with epilepsy for a better quality of life.
Epilepsy is a type of neurological disorder. It negatively affects the functioning of your brain and its electrical activities. Further, it can lead to seizures. A seizure is a common occurrence in those diagnosed with a particular type of disorder. Seizures are sudden surges of electrical activities happening in your brain. The severity and the frequency of seizures can vary from person to person. One can experience a range of symptoms. The symptoms can include anxiety, depression, forgetfulness, constant shaking, twitching, loss of awareness, difficulty concentrating, and confusion. Epilepsy not only affects one’s physical health but also emotional well-being. This can make it difficult to cope with the challenges of epilepsy and try to live a normal life.
Talking about living with epilepsy, Dr Pankaj Agarwal, Head of the Department of Neurology, Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai, shared the following.
Tips to live a normal life with epilepsy
- Take your medications on time: Avoid skipping on your medications. Make sure you take your medication, prescribed by a doctor on time without fail. This can help you manage your epilepsy in a better way. These medications can help you reduce the intensity of your seizures. Skipping your medications can worsen your condition while making seizures more frequent than usual. If you tend to easily forget taking your pills then try setting an alarm or reminders on your phone.
- Stay safe during the seizures: It becomes nearly impossible to predict the occurrence of seizures. Seizures can occur at any moment which can increase the risk of various injuries. These injuries can range from mild to severe. Try covering the sharp corners in your house to make the environment safe and seizures. Medical alert bracelets are easily available in the market which can immediately inform your family or loved ones in an emergency. This can help minimise the risk of injuries in the future.
- Get enough sleep: Not getting enough sleep can easily trigger your seizures. It is crucial to prioritize your sleep for the betterment of your health. Aim for at least 8 to 9 hours of sound sleep. Poor sleeping habits can increase your likelihood of seizures making it more challenging to survive each day. Try establishing a healthy nighttime routine by sleeping and waking up simultaneously every day. Avoid using digital screens or watching shows before bedtime as it can negatively affect your sleeping pattern.
- Manage your stress levels: Stress is one of the common triggers for many people. Managing stress levels while being diagnosed with epilepsy can be a challenging task. To manage and maintain your stress levels, one can try various techniques and methods. This can include simple techniques like deep-breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation to help you calm your mind and lower your stress levels. Try doing things that make you happy and calm such as going for a walk, eating your favorite food, watching shows, and journaling.
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