NEWS
National Epilepsy Awareness Week: What to do in the event of a seizure
It can be quite frightening to witness someone have a seizure, but you need not panic if you’re prepared. It’s important to know what to look for, what to do and that not all seizures are emergencies or have permanent negative effects. One study published in the...
Tampa Bay first responders build on life-saving skills with brain and spine training
WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — When a trauma call comes in, every moment matters, so on Monday, Tampa Bay-area paramedics built on their life-saving skills to learn how to better care for patients with certain injuries on the way to the hospital. “On trauma calls, we’re really...
New materials could lead to implantable treatments for epilepsy
The prospect of a cure for a type of epilepsy could be one step closer following breakthrough research on materials that may help new types of probes be safely implanted in the brain. Bioengineering researchers from the University of Glasgow have investigated new...
Is It Safe to Consume Caffeine With Epilepsy?
While caffeine consumption is a daily habit for many people, it can become a little more complicated for those with a central nervous system disorder like epilepsy. That’s because caffeine interacts with certain brain signals, and seizures occur when there’s an...
How Nutrition Affects Epilepsy Management
Since the 1920s, studies have shown that diet can improve seizure control in individuals with epilepsy. While most of these studies are based on the classic ketogenic diet, newer studies suggest that less restrictive diets, such as the low glycemic index diet and...
Defying stigma and rising above obstacles of living with epilepsy
My name is Ramsey Duevela. I was born with a storm inside me, a tempest that would come to define my life. I was living with epilepsy. My first seizure struck when I was just seven years old. It was a terrifying experience that left me feeling vulnerable and alone. A...
Seizures While Driving Highlight Importance of Early Diagnosis of Epilepsy
Before learning they had epilepsy, about 5% of people who have what's called focal epilepsy had a seizure while driving, new research suggests. “Seizures while driving pose substantial risks for those experiencing them and for others on the road,” said study...
Can People With Epilepsy Drive?
Whether you can drive with epilepsy depends on your specific diagnosis, treatment, and the laws in your state. Epilepsy is a neurological condition that results in seizures. Because seizures can come on unpredictably and without warning and cause involuntary behaviors...
Stay Cool: Hot Weather and Epilepsy
Unusually warm weather can increase the risk of seizures in people with epilepsy This week (12 June 2023) has seen a rise in temperatures across the UK, with BBC weather reporting that it will stay hot and humid over the next few days. Severe hot weather is dangerous...
Lil Wayne says he can’t remember his own songs anymore due to memory loss
The 40-year-old musician has previously opened up about his experience with epilepsy and dealing with recurring and unprovoked seizures. Despite having a number of projects in the works and awaiting the vinyl release of his iconic “Tha Carter III” album, Lil Wayne...
Which Foods Are Best For People With Epilepsy?
Question: What foods are good to eat for people with epilepsy? Answer from Olga Taraschenko, MD, board-certified neurologist Some people with epilepsy are sensitive to carbohydrates, which can exacerbate their seizures. These patients should avoid sweets and simple...
Epilepsy And The 10 Most Frequent Fears In Women
Even when it comes to epilepsy there are differences between male and female, they reside in the brain and are already formed during pregnancy. Anti-seizure drugs, especially in women, can modify the hormonal balance. Male and female brains are also different when it...
A strange smell and visions in a 45-year-old man with focal epilepsy
A 45-year-old man with a 5-year history of episodes of smelling a strange odor followed by seeing images of scenes from his childhood, attended our psychiatry department. The patient said that after experiencing the smell and the images, he felt shivery, had...
Alzheimer’s Genes Might Also Raise Odds for Epilepsy
People with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease may have an increased risk of epilepsy, a new study says. And folks with a certain type of epilepsy may have higher odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Having Alzheimer’s was linked to a 5.3% increased...
Recent Epilepsy Study out of Japan: New Treatment Options?
The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by excessive electrical activity in the brain, remain unknown. Now, using a novel radiotracer, researchers from Japan have been able to offer insight into the role of AMPAR...
What is a Tonic Seizure?
Tonic seizures cause sudden stiffness and rigidity in your muscles. They typically last less than 1 minute. Seizures are rapid bursts of electrical activity in your brain that can cause involuntary movement and a loss of awareness or consciousness. There are different...
Supporting Others With Epilepsy as a Peer Mentor
In a recent article, I spoke mainly about the benefits of support groups, and I touched on how I'm now my state's Peer Mentor Ambassador. While the official peer mentor programs are still being organized nationwide and even so are starting up, I'm now often the middle...
Pets’ Positive Impact on Human Health
Many people have a pet, but may not realize the health benefits they receive when they own a dog, cat, or other animal. Dr. Fabian Sandoval is the President and C.E.O. of Emerson Clinical Research Institute in Northwest, D.C. He said the human body can undergo some...
Manage Epilepsy Through These 7 Holistic Wellness Strategies
Epilepsy may make daily life extremely challenging on both a mental and physical level. Despite advancements in medical technology, those who live with the illness continue to endure a particular set of difficulties that most people cannot comprehend. Fortunately,...
Can Smoking Increase Your Risk of Seizures?
Medically reviewed by Smita Patel, MD Smoking is a known risk factor for many health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and stroke. In addition to these risk factors, people with epilepsy have another reason to avoid or quit smoking—it is linked to increased...
