Epilepsy
Anyone looking for information on epilepsy will find the Web to be a great source of information. The country’s top epilepsy research and advocacy organizations and the Web’s top consumer health Web sites, as well as the federal government, make getting the facts you need a cinch. Use this Web guide to learn about the basics of epilepsy, how to cope with it, how to find a support community, and more.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a condition in which a person experiences repeated seizures that are electrical ... read more »
Epilepsy Diagnosis and Treatment
Epilepsy’s main symptom is repeated seizures, but doctors use a variety of tests to diagnose ... read more »
Living with Epilepsy
Life with epilepsy can pose a number of challenges. Depending on the condition’s severity, certain activities, such as driving or playing sports, may be restricted or require supervision. But people with epilepsy can also lead normal lives. For advice and insight on living with the condition, continue reading this section of the guide.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Nonprofit organizations and professional societies are dedicated to helping people with epilepsy through education, research, and advocacy. Epilepsy.com and Epilepsy Foundation are featured prominently in this guide because they offer a wide variety of information about living with epilepsy, geared specifically toward those with the disease and their caregivers.
- Some of history’s most notable figures have had epilepsy, including Julius Caesar, Leonardo da Vinci, and Charles Dickens.
- The Web sites we’ve selected offer practical guidance for a dizzying array of situations and facets of life, such as safety issues when cooking, working, or sleeping, and planning for a child’s financial future.
Dulcinea's Picks
For adults …
Epilepsy.com
has an extensive section dedicated to living with the condition. Look for topics such as safety while driving and sleeping, and seizure-alert dogs. Visit the “First Aid Section” to read about several scenarios, such as seizures on planes or in the water, and what someone should do to help a person who just had a seizure. Find specialized information for women, seniors, children, and families, and a seizure preparedness section.
The Epilepsy Foundation
also examines a number of aspects of life with the condition. See the “Employment” section to learn how courts have recognized epilepsy as a disability, and find out about the accommodations that have been made in workplaces for people with epilepsy. In the “Dating & Marriage” section, find advice for when to disclose your epilepsy to a potential partner. Check out the “Transportation” area for air travel and driving laws, and find tips for getting around town.
For children and teens …
The Epilepsy Foundation
has a page that addresses questions about playing sports, feeling depressed, going to college, and playing video games while having epilepsy. Browse a question and answer page for teenage girls that addresses seizures after a girl has started her period, and other concerns. Read an article about driving to discover that people who have gone for a certain period without a seizure (the amount of time varies by state) can get a driver’s license.
For women …
The American Academy of Family Physicians
has a question and answer piece about having epilepsy and becoming pregnant. Learn if there are risks to you or your baby, and what you can do to protect yourself and your baby. Pregnancy affects epilepsy differently in every woman, and there could be a higher risk for complications, but “more than 90% of women who have epilepsy have normal, healthy babies,” according to the academy.
For parents …
The Epilepsy Foundation
offers parents advice about home life. Learn how to handle discipline issues, how to inform other family members, and how to build your child’s self esteem. Don’t miss the article on “Your Child at School,” to find ways to help make sure your child has a normal and accepting school experience.
Epilepsy Support
Epilepsy is a relatively common disorder: more than 3 million people in America are affected by it ... read more »
Epilepsy News and Research
Epilepsy is an extensively researched condition. On the National Institutes of Health’s ... read more »
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