With consistent treatment adherence, most people with epilepsy can even enjoy competitive sports.
As an outstanding 15-year-old athlete, Nolan loved to play football. He enjoyed the competition, the camaraderie, and the focus and discipline of being on the team. He also relished the demanding training and exercise, which made him strong and physically fit. Like any young athlete, the last thing he wanted was to be sidelined by an illness, which, in his case was epilepsy.
But suddenly, in late middle school, his seizures increased. He was experiencing grand mal, or generalized tonic-clonic, seizures, with whole-body jerky movements and unawareness for two to three minutes followed by a recovery period, with sleepiness and confusion for up to 30 minutes. His parents and coaches became concerned, and reluctantly they delivered the news that for his own safety, he should stop playing.
As an outstanding 15-year-old athlete, Nolan loved to play football. He enjoyed the competition, the camaraderie, and the focus and discipline of being on the team. He also relished the demanding training and exercise, which made him strong and physically fit. Like any young athlete, the last thing he wanted was to be sidelined by an illness, which, in his case was epilepsy.
But suddenly, in late middle school, his seizures increased. He was experiencing grand mal, or generalized tonic-clonic, seizures, with whole-body jerky movements and unawareness for two to three minutes followed by a recovery period, with sleepiness and confusion for up to 30 minutes. His parents and coaches became concerned, and reluctantly they delivered the news that for his own safety, he should stop playing.
Source: US News Health
