Issue Date: January 9, 2005
Living with epilepsy
Few chronic illnesses can disrupt normal life like epilepsy, which afflicts more than 2.5 million Americans. A brain condition that leads to periodic bouts of disturbed electrical activity, it can cause involuntary muscle movement, altered states of consciousness, strange sensations and seizures.
Don't drive if your medication has recently changed.
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Anything that damages the brain (trauma, infections, tumors, high fevers, etc.) can cause epilepsy. Unfortunately, 70% of patients have no identifiable cause for it. Its severity can range from easily controlled (with medications) to devastating (impairing memory, emotional health and the ability to learn). The good news is that with appropriate follow-up, 70% of epileptics can go into remission, which neurologists define as not having any seizures for five years while off medication.
A pressing issue is driving. Obviously, you need to make sure your seizures are controlled before getting behind the wheel. Don't drive if your doctor is changing your medication.
Don't let epilepsy keep you from regular exercise, but you probably should avoid water sports, hazardous activities (like mountain climbing, skydiving and scuba diving) and any activity that runs the risk of a head blow.
Get to know a neurologist and work with him to develop a personalized program. Not only will he prescribe the drugs best suited to you, but he also can work with you on the illness' social, emotional and occupational aspects.
Contributing Editor Tedd Mitchell, M.D., is medical director of the Wellness Program at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas.
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