Epilepsy and exercise
Epilepsy and exercise
About epilepsy and exercise
Epilepsy
is a common condition of the brain in which a person has a tendency to have recurrent unprovoked seizures. People with epilepsy and their families are often concerned about exercise triggering seizures, which can result in overprotection and needless activity restrictions.
Exercise and epilepsy
Exercise is good for everyone, but it also has important benefits for people with epilepsy. Occasionally seizures can be triggered by physical exercise, but this is rare. In general, physical exercise doesn’t worsen epilepsy or cause seizures. It can offer positive physiological and psychological changes which may improve seizure control through improved overall health and wellbeing.
People with epilepsy can safely participate in most sports, as long as they avoid anything that may increase their individual seizure risk such as overexertion, over-heating, dehydration, and low blood sugar (
hypoglycemia
).
Special care or caution is needed with sports involving heights, such as some types of gymnastics (parallel bars and uneven bars) or horse riding. Someone with epilepsy should never swim alone.
Sports that involve extreme risk if a seizure should happen, such as hang-gliding, scuba-diving, downhill
skiing
, free climbing and car or motorbike racing are not recommended.
Additional limitations are necessary for people who have frequent seizures, or whose epilepsy is accompanied by other disabilities.
Sports and exercise is generally a good lifestyle choice. It can enhance your quality of life, reduce other or future health issues, and potentially have a positive effect on your seizure frequency.
Exercise safety issues and epilepsy
General safety considerations may include:
Avoid your known seizure triggers – for instance, if
lack of sleep
can be a seizure trigger for you, get a good night’s sleep before playing sport, or avoid exercise if you are overtired.
Stay well-hydrated
and eat something before exercising.
Don’t continue exercising if you feel faint, lightheaded, nauseous or generally unwell.
Don’t overexert yourself – know your limits.
If
heat
or becoming overheated is a trigger for you, exercise in an air-conditioned gym or at a cooler time of day.
Make sure your coach and teammates know what to do if you have a seizure.
If involved in individual exercise, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or pendant, so people can easily identify you have epilepsy if a seizure happens.
Wear protective gear appropriate to your sport, such as a helmet.
Always wear a life jacket when involved in water sports.
Let family or friends know your walking, jogging or exercise route before you leave, and how long you will be out.
Consider carrying a mobile phone with an ICE (in case of emergency) telephone number listed.
Always take your medication as prescribed.
Antiseizure medications and exercise
Antiseizure medications are the mainstay of epilepsy treatment but some of the side effects are likely to affect sporting performance, including:
fatigue
and tiredness
blurred vision
problems with concentration
problems with balance and coordination
poor motivation and energy
slower reaction times.
If you have medication side effects that are affecting your daily life and sporting performance, speak to your doctor about reviewing your medications.
If you take up a training program and lose a lot of weight, you may also need to have your medications reviewed as it may affect how your medications are absorbed.
Avoid taking anabolic steroids, as they can have long-term side effects and possibly interfere with antiseizure medication levels in the blood. Some people have reported seizures in relation to anabolic steroid use.
Engaging in physical activities and sports can help prevent or counteract the side effects of some antiseizure medication, such as weight gain or increased fragility of bones.
Exercise-related epilepsy triggers
Seizures that happen during or after exercise may be due to triggers such as:
extreme
fatigue
lack of sleep
dehydration (and electrolyte loss)
hyperthermia (elevated body temperature)
hypoglycaemia
(low blood sugar levels).
Suggestions to help you avoid these triggers include:
Make sure you take your medication as prescribed.
Drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise.
Eat well before exercise and take a light snack or fruit if you need something immediately beforehand.
Don’t push yourself to the point of physical exhaustion.
If you’re feeling very hot and tired, slow down or stop.
Make sure you have at least 2 rest days every week.
Make sure your
diet is nutritionally adequate
.
Get plenty of rest and
good quality sleep
.
Limit or abstain from
alcohol
.
Where to get help
Your
GP (doctor)
Neurologist
Epilepsy Action
Australia
External Link
Tel:
1300 37 45 37
Epilepsy Action Australia have produced
animated seizure first-aid videos aimed at both adults and
children
External Link
.
The
National Epilepsy Support Service
(NESS)
External Link
Tel.
1300 761 487
– available Mon to Sat, 9 am to 7 pm (AEST), to provide support and information across Australia. Email: