Epilepsy in adults - what to ask your doctorDefinitionYou have epilepsy. People with epilepsy have seizures. A seizure is a sudden brief change in the electrical activity in your brain. It leads to brief unconsciousness and uncontrollable body movements. Below are questions you may want to ask your health care provider to help you take care of yourself. Alternative NamesWhat to ask your doctor about epilepsy - adult; Seizures - what to ask your doctor - adult; Seizure - what to ask your doctor QuestionsShould I call you, or someone else, every time I have a seizure? What safety measures do I need to take at home to prevent injuries when I have a seizure? Is it OK for me to drive? Where can I call to find more information about driving and epilepsy? What should I discuss with my boss at work about my epilepsy?
Are there any sports activities that I should not do? Do I need to wear a helmet for any type of activities? Do I need to wear a medical alert bracelet?
What do I need to know about my seizure medicines?
How often do I need to see the provider? When do I need blood tests? What should I do if I am having trouble sleeping at night? What are the signs that my epilepsy is becoming worse? What should others with me do when I am having a seizure? After the seizure is over, what should they do? When should they call the provider? When should we call 911? ReferencesAbou-Khalil BW, Gallagher MJ, Macdonald RL. Epilepsies. In: Daroff RB, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, eds. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 101. Falcone T, Palombaro AM. Quality of life with epilepsy. In: Wyllie E, ed. Wyllie's Treatment of Epilepsy: Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2015:chap 95.
Review Date:
10/18/2018 Reviewed By: Alireza Minagar, MD, MBA, Professor, Department of Neurology, LSU Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-
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