Tracking Seizures
It is vital to keep track of seizures. This can be done digitally or with a paper seizure diary. Knowing what happens during a seizure and how often they occur are two of the most important seizure details. Keeping track of them can help with:
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Side effects
- Triggers
Learn More:
Improving Seizure Observation SkillsSeizure Diagnosis
Seizures can look and feel different from one person to the next. A first-person report of what is going on will help the doctor tell if the events are seizures or not. This helps figure out what kind of seizure it is.
Knowing the seizure type will help you and your family know: how to respond to a seizure, what to be concerned about, what NOT to worry about, and when to get emergency help.
Learn More:
Diagnosing Seizures and SyndromesChoosing Treatments
Not all seizure medicines work for all types of seizures. Some are better for focal seizures than for generalized ones or in people with a specific epilepsy syndrome.
They may explore other treatment options. Knowing the seizure type will help everyone decide which medicine or treatment to try.
Track if seizures happen less often or have changed after a new medicine or treatment is started. This will help your healthcare team understand what is working or not. If seizures continue or get worse, they may decide to explore other treatment options.
Tracking Seizure Side Effects
By tracking details of your seizures, you can identify and manage side effects. Tracking side effects of medicines on seizure calendars can help you and your doctor know how you are tolerating the drug.
See if side effects get better over time or go away when a dose is changed. If side effects don't go away, it’s one more piece of information to use when deciding if other treatments should be tried.
Identify Triggers to Change Your Lifestyle
Writing down when seizures occur and what happened around that time helps you recognize possible triggers. You may notice a pattern, such as seizures that occur only at a specific time of day. Or you can see if certain factors occur around the time of your seizures, such as not sleeping well, sick with fever or illness, stress or missing medicines.
Use this information to make changes and help you get better seizure control. This may include more than treatment adjustments. Lifestyle modifications can have a positive impact on seizure control. This may include:
- Changes to diet and exercise
- Improved travel planning
- Seeking employment help or legal counsel
- Reviewing family planning
Resources
Epilepsy Centers
Epilepsy centers provide you with a team of specialists to help you diagnose your epilepsy and explore treatment options.
Epilepsy Medication
Find in-depth information on anti-seizure medications so you know what to ask your doctor.
Epilepsy and Seizures Helpline
Call our Epilepsy and Seizures Helpline and talk with an epilepsy information specialist or submit a question online.
Tools & Resources
Get information, tips, and more to help you manage your epilepsy.
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