FRIDAY, Nov. 12, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- There's only a low risk of major injury from epileptic seizures, so most people with epilepsy don't need to restrict their daily activities to avoid injury, says a Mayo Clinic study.
Researchers examined the records of 247 people diagnosed with epilepsy between 1975 and 1984 and found that 39 of the patients suffered 62 injuries due to seizures. Cuts, scratches, and minor bruises to the soft tissue on the outside of the head accounted for 80 percent of the injuries. These injuries didn't cause any serious health consequences or result in long absences from work or school.
The study appears in the Nov. 9 issue of Neurology.
Neurologist and lead investigator Dr. Elson So said epilepsy patients, along with families, employers, school officials and others, need to have an accurate understanding of the injury risk associated with epileptic seizures.
"It is important to find a balance between seizure precaution and the freedom to enjoy life. Unnecessary restrictions of activity can adversely affect quality of life, often to a more serious extent than what seizure attacks can do. Ignoring the risk of injuries may have disastrous consequences for some people with epilepsy. However, overestimating the risk of injuries may unfairly impact on the rights of those with well-controlled epilepsy," So said.
He said school officials or employers shouldn't automatically place restrictions on people with epilepsy.
"People with well-controlled epilepsy should not arbitrarily be considered at higher risk of injury than those without epilepsy. School authorities and work personnel should understand that the risk of injuries from seizures is very small in people whose epilepsy is well-controlled. It's comparable to or lower than the risk in many people without epilepsy. It is unfair and illegal to deprive people with well-controlled epilepsy of their opportunities to study or to work," So said.
More information
Learn more about the condition from the Epilepsy Foundation.
