Epilepsy

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Brain structures

Central nervous system

Limbic system

Treatment of epilepsy

Serious injury can occur if a seizure occurs during driving or when operating dangerous equipment, so these activities may be restricted for people with poorly controlled seizure disorders.

Infrequent seizures may not severely restrict the person's lifestyle. Work, school, and recreation do not necessarily need to be restricted.

• Prolonged seizures or numerous seizures without complete recovery between them (status epilepticus)
• Injury from falls, bumps, or self-inflicted bites
• Injury from having a seizure while driving or operating machinery
• Inhaling fluid into the lungs and subsequent aspiration pneumonia
• Permanent brain damage (stroke or other damage)
• Difficulty with learning
• Side effects of medications
• Many anti-epileptic medications cause birth defects -- women wishing to become pregnant should alert their doctor in advance in order to adjust medications

Call your local emergency number (911) if this the first time a person has had a seizure or a seizure is occurring in someone without a medical ID bracelet (instructions explaining what to do). In the case of someone who has had seizures before, call the ambulance for any of these emergency situations:

• This is a longer seizure than the person normally has, or an unusual number of seizures for the person
• Repeated seizures over a few minutes
• Repeated seizures where consciousness or normal behavior is not regained between them (status epilepticus)

Call your health care provider if any new symptoms occur, including possible side effects of medications (drowsiness, restlessness, confusion, sedation, or others), nausea/vomiting, rash, loss of hair, tremors or abnormal movements, or problems with coordination.

Review Date: 08/07/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.