2 minute read
Wearable Monitoring: PulseGuard and Brio monitor pulse rates in seizures
Summary of risk factors for SUDEP
having frequent tonic clonic seizures having sleep seizures having seizures when alone untreated epilepsy abrupt changes in epilepsy medication not taking medication as prescribed sleeping in the prone position (on the stomach) having an intellectual disability being pregnant treatment for mental health issues alcohol or drug dependence problems infrequent medical reviews
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Summary of advice to reduce your own risk
Know your triggers and if they can be avoided or reduced If you aren’t sure, check what type of epilepsy you have If you are not seizure-free, seek a referral to a neurologist Take your medication as prescribed and don’t change or stop taking it without your doctor or epilepsy specialist nurse’s guidance Let your doctor know about the number, frequency and type of seizures and any medication side effects. Ask witnesses to document your seizures or take a video clip For sleep seizures use a seizure alarm or monitor Raise SUDEP questions with consultant or specialist nurse
Advice for carers to reduce the risk of SUDEP
Consider using seizure detection alarms and monitoring Although there is little research on ventilated pillows and SUDEP, many people might choose to use them Stay with the person after a seizure has finished and check their breathing is regular and their colour is back to normal Put them into the recovery position when the seizure is over Follow exactly any Care Plan that may have been drawn up with the epilepsy team. It will state what is to be done and when and the Care Plan will be tailored to the person’s needs
Other reasons to call an ambulance can include:
If the person is injured If the seizure does not stop by 5 minutes (or whatever is typical for the person) If one seizure follows another without recovery If the person is having trouble breathing If the person has a complicating medical condition or is pregnant
The Seizures Wheel
Every person with epilepsy is different. The safety measures suggested depend on each person’s type of seizure, their triggers, patterns of seizures, and individual factors. It can help to use the “Why, What, When, Where, and How” prompts in the Seizures Wheel below to think about how seizures happen for you.
How long & how often are seizures Why do seizures happen?
What happens?
Where do seizures happen? When do seizures happen?
