The Facts about Epilepsy and Sports
By Anna Press
Many people with epilepsy, and families or friends of people with epilepsy, worry that their condition may be an impediment when it comes to sports. Most of the time, this is simply not the case. As with many other medical conditions epilepsy brings with it the chance of greater injury risk in certain activities but certainly not all.
MYTH: People with epilepsy cannot play sports.
FACT: It has been proven that in certain cases playing sports can actually reduce the frequency of seizures.
Physical activity can, in fact, ameliorate the EEG (electroencephalograph) readings of a person with epilepsy. The theories behind this result are as follows:
- Regular exercise helps to alleviate stress, which can be a trigger for seizures
- Heavy breathing (related to physical activity) can help to relieve hypercapnia, which is the build up of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream
- Concentration is necessary during sports, and this focus can be related to controlling seizures
MYTH: All anticonvulsant drugs cause the person with epilepsy to be unable to participate in normal physical activities.
FACT: Certain medications can impede optimum performance; however, sports can still be played in many cases. Certain AEDs (Antiepileptic drugs) can induce fatigue, lethargy, blurred and double vision, concentration difficulty and impaired co-ordination. If this is the case with your medication then consult a doctor before attempting any new sports.
DO
- Wear the appropriate equipment during physical activity, i.e. a helmet, proper protection.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet, no matter what the circumstance, just in case a problem does arise Inform your coach and teammates that you have epilepsy or a seizure disorder
- Monitor the serum levels of any AEDs that you are taking as physical activity can alter these levels (ask the doctor whether the amount of medication needs to be changed)
- Ask your doctor whether certain sports are appropriate for you
DO NOT
- Continue exercising if you feel faint, nauseous, or dehydrated
- Overexert yourself, and do avoid hypoglycemia
- Take anabolic steroids as they can also alter the effects of AEDs
- Limit the person with epilepsy from partaking in sports-related activities
MYTH: A person with epilepsy cannot go far in the world of sports.
FACT: Many famous sportsmen have epilepsy: baseball player Greg Walker, basketball player Bobby Jones and hockey player Gary Howett.
People who have seizures that are controlled or that can sense when the seizure is approaching (aura) are able to participate in most sports, however people that cannot sense when their seizure is coming or do not have their condition under control, should be more careful. Certain sports are more dangerous than others; however, most can still be played under the right conditions.
- Swimming can be done by everyone with proper supervision
- Stationary bikes do not pose a large threat (it is best in any situation if the person with epilepsy is being supervised)
- Horse back riding can be acceptable if the person can anticipate seizures
- Climbing a rope of 5 feet or more can be dangerous
- Team sports, such as ice hockey, tackle football and rugby can be played if the person has control over their seizures
- Sports to be avoided: boxing, full contact karate, unsupervised scuba diving, solo hang gliding, solo parachuting, and unsupervised mountain climbing, gymnastics (parallel or uneven bars)
Although many feel the need to protect a child with epilepsy, it is important to draw the line between protecting a child and overprotecting him or her. Sports can be a very positive influence in a child's life, promoting things like team-work, sportsmanship, and independence. Many children with epilepsy feel as though they are "different" from the other kids, and by participating in physical activity the child can form new bonds, raise their self-esteem and the sport can help to de-emphasize their "difference". Overall, dependent on the child's specific condition, sports can generally be of great benefit to a developing child, leaving them with a great impact, which will help them later on in life.
