Seizures

Prevention

Note: If you think you may have a seizure disorder or are being evaluated for one, do not drive, operate heavy machinery, swim, climb ladders, or participate in other potentially dangerous activities until you have been specifically cleared to do these things by your doctor.

Many causes of seizures, such as some forms of epilepsy, cannot be prevented. However, head injury is a common cause of seizures and epilepsy that you may be able to prevent. To prevent a head injury:

• Wear your seat belt when you are in a motor vehicle. Use child car seats.
• Do not use alcohol or other drugs before or during sports (such as soccer, football, horseback riding, or bicycling) or when operating an automobile or other equipment.
• Wear a helmet and other protective clothing whenever you are bicycling, motorcycling, skating, kayaking, horseback riding, skiing, snowboarding, or rock climbing.
• Wear a hard hat if you work in an industrial or construction area.
• Do not dive into shallow or unfamiliar water.
• Prevent falls at home by removing hazards that might cause a fall.
• Do not keep firearms in your home. If you must keep firearms, lock them up and store them unloaded and uncocked. Lock ammunition in a separate area.

If you are being treated for a seizure disorder:

• Be sure to follow your treatment plan. Taking too little or too much of your medicine, abruptly stopping your medicine, or changing your medicine schedule can cause seizures.
• Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, swim, climb ladders, or participate in other potentially dangerous activities until you have been specifically cleared to do these things by your doctor.
• Avoid activities that might trigger a seizure, such as playing video games that have flashing or flickering lights. In rare cases, the flashing lights and geometric patterns of video games can trigger seizures in children.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: September 17, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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