Lifestyle
Lifestyle is a very important component of one's wellness.
This topic includes exercise, smoking, sleep, diet and many other components which we can control based on the various choices we make everyday.
Exercise
FACT: Studies show that people with epilepsy are only half as active when compared with age- and gender-matched populations, and objective aerobic measurements confirm the poorer physical fitness of individuals with epilepsy.
People with chronic conditions (such as epilepsy) are often overprotected. This may lead to isolation, loneliness and physical inactivity of the affected individual. Regular physical training has been found to contribute to the resocialization of many people who have epilepsy. It is crucial, therefore, that people with epilepsy become involved in a variety of activities including those that promote physical activity. Exercise contributes to both mental and physical health. It can improve heart functioning and provide psychological benefits of enhanced self esteem and increased social interaction.
Benefits of Regular Exercise
- feelings of being more alert
- post-exercise feelings of well-being
- decreases in body fat, which result in people looking and feeling better.
While there has been some concern that exercise may trigger epileptic seizures, various studies have found that this is not generally true (although for some people exercise may be a trigger for seizures). One study was performed on a number of adults with uncontrolled epilepsy who underwent an intensive exercise program of 45 minutes of exercise 3 times per week. It was found that physical activity did not represent an important seizure-inducing factor in general, and in most people physical training appeared to have a favourable influence.
However, always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. Personal restrictions on physical activity will depend on both the level of seizure control you've achieved and the type(s) of seizures you experience. Keep in mind that researchers have found that even people who have not achieved seizure control can also benefit from physical activity but need to carefully select their exercise activities and follow precautionary measures.
There are some restrictions on the types of activities which should be avoided by people who have epilepsy.
In most cases, the following should be avoided:
- mountain climbing
- sky diving
- parachuting
- hand-gliding
- high tower diving
- scuba diving
- boxing.
As well, if your seizures are uncontrolled, you should not participate in sports likely to cause head injury:
- horseback riding
- boxing
- bike riding.
Participation in extremely physical sports
- hockey
- lacrosse
- football
- gymnastics
- soccer
or recreational water sports
will depend on how well your seizures are controlled.
Participation in many other activities, such as swimming, is generally acceptable – as long as safety precautions are carefully followed.
- Always wear a helmet when there is a risk of head injury.
- Always swim with a buddy.
- Alert the lifeguard/activity supervisor of your disorder.
- Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) when participating in water sports.
Keep in mind, that sunlight reflected on water may trigger photosensitive seizures in some people.
Exercise is particularly important during childhood.
Deprivation of physical activities and understimulation may cause unsatisfactory locomotor development and personality disturbances in children. Overprotective attitudes toward people (in particular, toward children) with epilepsy is extremely widespread, and precautionary measures often go far beyond what is reasonable and necessary. Studies have found that many people with epilepsy are overprotected, understimulated and approximately half as physically active as the average population. Shielding people with epilepsy from physical activities results in unnecessary poor physical fitness.
A crucial factor for many people with epilepsy in choosing not to be physically active was the fear of what would happen if they had a seizure while being in a social setting (embarrassment, fear of injury, anxiety about who will help them, and fear of dying). It is worth noting that a person's inactivity may also be due to the sedating effects of some antiepileptic drugs.
The Effects of Smoking
Tobacco users have a higher risk of developing the following serious diseases:
- heart disease
- lung cancer
- chronic lung disease (chronic bronchitis and emphysema)
- stroke
- cancers of the mouth, throat, tongue, esophagus and bladder
Even people who don't smoke are at risk: second-hand smoke has been linked to lung cancer in non-smokers and respiratory problems in young children and infants. While some people believe that smoking is not damaging as long as they don't inhale smoke, this is not true. The moment the cigarette smoke touches the lips, it begins to attack living tissues and continues to do so wherever it goes. The mouth, tongue, throat, esophagus, air passages, lungs, stomach, bladder, pancreas and kidneys may all be affected. Even if one has been smoking for a prolonged period of time, it is worth quitting. Ex-smokers can expect to enjoy improved health status (fewer sick days and health complaints) and to live longer than continuing tobacco users.
Sleep & Relaxation
Sleep abnormalities can be seen in people with epilepsy and may be caused by the epilepsy itself or by some anticonvulsant medications. People with partial seizures have reported significantly more sleep disorder symptoms, especially more frequent night awakenings than the average population. It is important to consider the importance of sleep since inadequate sleep may trigger seizures. There is still much to be learned regarding how altered sleep quality affects daytime functional status and the triggering of seizures.
A Well Balanced Diet
It is very important that people with epilepsy eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet. Good nutritional habits and a healthy lifestyle are important in obtaining optimal seizure control. To avoid dietary deficiencies, a balanced diet with intake of adequate nutrients, including folic acid, calcium and magnesium should be followed (see Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating).
It is especially important for people with epilepsy to eat a well balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, fats and carbohydrates. Too much or too little of certain chemicals can cause the seizure threshold to be lowered. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used to control seizures may interfere with the body's ability to use certain nutrients, including vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, maganese and folic acid. AEDs may lead to the depletion of some vitamins and minerals more quickly than normal, thus affecting seizure control, growth or activity. While this problem often occurs with the use of most medications, it is usually mild and causes no harm. Those who are the most vulnerable to vitamin deficiencies include people on large doses of medication or multiple AEDs, the elderly, growing children, pregnant women, alcohol abusers, and those who follow poor dietary habits.
While some dietary problems can generally be avoided with proper diet, in some rare cases more serious problems may arise. (Anemia can result from severe folic acid deficiency. Weak bones are related to inadequate amounts of vitamin D.) Vitamin supplements can be prescribed by your physician when necessary. Self diagnosis of vitamin deficiencies is discouraged as self-prescribed megavitamin therapy may in fact be harmful. (Excessive folic acid intake may actually decrease seizure control.)
Not only is a well balanced diet important, but also is eating regular meals at regular intervals. Some people find that when meals are missed or taken irregularly, seizure frequency tends to increase. This may be due to a drop in blood sugar levels. Regular, moderate meals help to regulate blood sugar levels.
Alcohol, caffeine, aspartame and tobacco may potentially trigger seizures and should be considered as drugs. When used frequently, alcohol may interfere with anticonvulants and may lower the seizure threshold. Alcohol consumption can cause seizures, not during intoxication, but usually several hours or days afterwards, when the person is no longer intoxicated.
Suggestions for Better Eating Habits
Recommended Foods
- Non-starchy vegetables
- cabbage, broccoli
- zucchini, cucumbers
- string beans
- mushrooms
- peppers
- spinach, lettuce, etc.
- Foods that supply at least the recommended amounts of calcium, magnesium, vitamin B and manganese
- dairy products
- fish
- meats
- whole grains
- fruits
- vegetables
- Foods which are high in starch (Eat moderately.)
- noodles (whole grain)
- cereals (whole grain)
- unpolished (brown) rice
- corn
- bread (whole grain)
- potatoes
- Note: Cooking fruits and vegetables destroys nutrients, so try to eat some raw vegetables and fruits.
Foods to Avoid in Excess
- Foods that contain refined sugar (jams and jellies, soft drinks, ice cream, candies, cakes, etc.) Concentrated sugar can be harmful for people with epilepsy.
- Dried fruits and extra sweet fruits (figs, dates, etc.)
- Salt
- Preservatives
- Artificial flavourings and colourings
- Chemical food additives
- Refined carbohydrates (bleached white flours, polished white rice, etc.)
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