Relaxation may help prevent a seizure, while hyperventilating can increase the seizure potential. Wear a medic alert bracelet to identify your condition and medications. Be alert to the adverse effects and symptoms of toxicity of antiepilepsy drugs. Safety issues may be of concern to people with epilepsy, especially those with poorly controlled seizures. Issues such as cooking, bathing, and other common activities should be assessed to prevent possible injuries.
Swimming can be safe with a companion who is capable of water life-saving skills.
There is controversy about driving automobiles and some states regulate this activity based on length of time since the most recent seizure. Although people with epilepsy may be no more likely to receive traffic citations or be involved in accidents than the general population, state laws regarding licensure of people with epilepsy are slow to change. Women with epilepsy have special issues concerning hormonally sensitive seizures, sexuality, contraceptive choice, fertility, and pregnancy. All women of childbearing potential should take folate supplementation to prevent or reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in the fetus. 11 Pregnancy may affect levels of antiepilepsy medications and requires the supervision of both a neurologist and obstetrician and careful monitoring throughout the pregnancy and postpartum periods.