It certainly appears that Summer is here which is great to see after what has been a difficult first half of the year for so many. However, with Met Éireann issuing a yellow warning for high temperatures for the rest of the week, we wanted to remind people with epilepsy and their families of a few tips to bear in mind during this period of wonderful weather. Extremes of heat can trigger seizures in for some people with epilepsy so these bear these tips in mind while enjoying the sunshine!
1) Be cool ….
An obvious one but take a break in the shade for periods to help reduce the impact of the heat on your body.
2) Hydrate…
Stay hydrated but don’t overdo it either. Under and over-hydration can lead to seizures so adjust your daily intake of fluids accordingly to suit your needs.
3) Stick to routines…
This again might appear obvious but when out and about in the sunshine or travelling to the nearest beach, it can be easy to lose track of time so a reminder to make sure you stick to your medication routine as normal.
4) Stay protected in the sun…
Many of you reading this will have had the experience of being sun burnt at some point in your life. We all know how difficult it can be to get to sleep when you’ve been caught by the sun but for a person with epilepsy, it’s important to remember about how important good sleep and rest can be to maintaining seizure freedom.
So – make sure you have that sun cream on and keep topping up to try and avoid this!
5) Alcohol…
Many people will point to alcohol being a seizure trigger. Some people with epilepsy drink and some do not but bear in in mind about the impact alcohol could have on your condition combined with the heat. Manage your intake and remember that alcohol can dehydrate as well.
6) Enjoy…!
The most important tip of all! We’re not often blessed with good weather like this in Ireland so enjoy it while it’s here! These tips are no way meant to deter your enjoyment of what is a rare occasion in Ireland (the sun!) but are important to bear in mind during a period when we can all fall out of routine as we aim to make the most of the good weather.
If you have any questions, remember that your local Community Resource Officers are available for any support or advice which you may need with your or your family members epilepsy during this time.
Stay safe and enjoy the 99’s!