November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, dedicated to educating the public, dispelling myths, and raising awareness about the realities of living with epilepsy. With over 600,000 people affected by epilepsy in the UK, this neurological condition impacts individuals of all ages and backgrounds. For people with epilepsy, managing the condition involves more than just controlling seizures—it also means ensuring safety, preparedness, and understanding from others.

At MedicAlert, we play an important role in helping people with epilepsy navigate daily life safely and with confidence. 

Understanding Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the brain and causes repeated seizures. These seizures occur when there are bursts of electrical activity in the brain, disrupting normal function. Seizures vary widely in type and severity, ranging from brief lapses in awareness to full-body convulsions. While some people may experience only occasional seizures, others may have frequent or uncontrolled episodes, which can impact daily life, work, and social activities.

Common symptoms of epilepsy include:

• Seizures that may affect part or all of the body
• Loss of consciousness or awareness
• Staring spells or confusion
• Unusual sensations or jerking movements

While medication can control seizures in many people with epilepsy, about 30% of individuals live with drug-resistant epilepsy, meaning that seizures cannot be fully managed with treatment alone. For these individuals, living with the risk of seizures is a daily reality, and preparing for potential emergencies is essential.

Why Epilepsy Awareness Month Matters

Epilepsy Awareness Month shines a light on a condition that is often misunderstood or stigmatised. Many people living with epilepsy face challenges not only in managing their condition but also in dealing with misconceptions and a lack of awareness from the public. By raising awareness, we can help improve understanding of what epilepsy is, what triggers seizures, and how to respond to someone experiencing a seizure.

For individuals with epilepsy, awareness is also key to ensuring that people around them—whether at work, school, or in public places—know how to offer appropriate help in the event of a seizure. This understanding can be life-saving.

How MedicAlert Can Help People with Epilepsy

For people with epilepsy, a MedicAlert ID can be a crucial tool for ensuring safety in emergencies. If a seizure occurs and the individual is unable to communicate, their MedicAlert ID speaks for them, providing vital information to bystanders, paramedics, or healthcare professionals.

Here’s how MedicAlert supports people living with epilepsy:

1. Immediate Access to Medical Information

In the event of a seizure, the ability to communicate your condition is critical. However, seizures often result in temporary confusion or unconsciousness, making it difficult for the individual to convey their medical needs. By wearing a MedicAlert ID, you ensure that your epilepsy diagnosis, seizure type, medications, and emergency protocols are instantly available to first responders.

This information can be life-saving in situations where an individual is alone or in a public place, and healthcare providers need to know how best to manage the situation.

2. Avoiding Harmful Treatments

Certain medications or treatments that are typically administered during emergencies can be harmful to individuals with epilepsy. For example, some people with epilepsy may be allergic to specific drugs or have contraindications with their existing seizure medications. A MedicAlert ID can inform medical professionals of your specific needs, helping them avoid dangerous drug interactions or treatments that could exacerbate your condition.

3. Managing Multiple Health Conditions

Many people with epilepsy also have other health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease. Managing multiple conditions adds complexity to medical care, particularly in an emergency. A MedicAlert ID allows you to communicate all of your relevant medical conditions, ensuring that healthcare professionals take a comprehensive approach to your care.

For instance, if you are diabetic and experience a seizure, your blood sugar levels may need to be checked to rule out hypoglycemia as a trigger.

4. Emergency Response for Seizures

Epilepsy seizures can vary in intensity, from mild absence seizures to more severe tonic-clonic seizures, where a person may lose consciousness, fall, or experience convulsions. In these moments, knowing how to respond appropriately can make all the difference.

A MedicAlert ID alerts first responders to your epilepsy diagnosis and provides clear guidance on how to manage your condition. It can also indicate whether or not the person needs to be taken to the hospital, as some people with epilepsy do not require emergency medical care after every seizure, depending on its severity.

5. Peace of Mind for You and Your Loved Ones

For people living with epilepsy, the unpredictability of seizures can cause anxiety and stress. By wearing a MedicAlert ID, you can feel more confident knowing that, should a seizure occur, your critical medical information is accessible and you’ll receive the appropriate care. This also brings peace of mind to your family and loved ones, knowing that your health is safeguarded even when they aren’t around.

Tips for Managing Epilepsy Safely

While medication and lifestyle changes can help control seizures, it’s important to take steps to stay safe, especially in environments where a seizure could lead to injury. Here are some tips for managing epilepsy:

• Take medication as prescribed: Following your treatment plan is key to controlling seizures. Be sure to communicate any side effects or issues to your healthcare provider so that adjustments can be made.
• Identify triggers: Stress, lack of sleep, alcohol, and certain medications can trigger seizures. Keep a seizure diary to track patterns and avoid known triggers.
• Stay safe at home and work: Modify your living environment to minimise risks during a seizure, such as padding sharp corners or avoiding activities that could result in injury (e.g., swimming or climbing).
• Communicate with others: Let those around you know that you have epilepsy and provide them with basic seizure first aid instructions, such as not restraining you during a seizure and turning you onto your side to keep the airway clear.

Keeping Your MedicAlert Profile Up to Date

To ensure you receive the best care in an emergency, it’s important to keep your MedicAlert profile current. Review the following regularly:

• Medication updates: Include all current medications in your profile, especially any anti-seizure drugs or medications for coexisting conditions.
• Emergency contacts: Make sure your emergency contacts are up to date so they can be reached if needed.
• Allergy information: If you have any medication allergies or sensitivities, be sure to list these so healthcare professionals can avoid administering them during treatment.

Epilepsy Awareness Month is a time to educate, inform, and support individuals living with epilepsy. Raising awareness about the condition can help reduce stigma, ensure that people understand how to respond to seizures, and improve the overall quality of life for those affected.

For individuals with epilepsy, MedicAlert provides an essential layer of protection. By wearing a MedicAlert ID, you are taking an important step in safeguarding your health, ensuring that you receive the appropriate care during a seizure or medical emergency. This November, take the time to update your medical profile, educate those around you, and continue advocating for greater epilepsy awareness in your community

To find out more about how MedicAlert membership can support you, click below

WHY JOIN MEDICALERT