Preventing Epilepsy

Epilepsy prevention may involve taking medications, wearing bicycle helmets and seat belts to avoid head trauma, and treating medical conditions such as high blood pressure. Other strategies for preventing epilepsy include genetic screening and good prenatal care.

 

Preventing Epilepsy: Prevent Head Trauma

Many cases of epilepsy can be prevented by wearing seat belts and bicycle helmets, putting children in car seats, and practicing other methods of preventing head injury and other trauma.
 

Preventing Epilepsy With Medications

Prescribing medication after first or second seizures or febrile seizures also may help prevent epilepsy in some cases.
 

The Role of Prenatal Care in Preventing Epilepsy

Good prenatal care, including treatment of high blood pressure and infections during pregnancy, can prevent brain damage in the developing baby that may lead to epilepsy and other neurological problems later.
 

Preventing Epilepsy by Getting Treatment for Medical Conditions

Treating cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, infections, and other disorders that can affect the brain during adulthood and aging also may prevent many cases of epilepsy.
 

Preventing Epilepsy: Gene Indentification

Finally, identifying the genes for many neurological disorders can provide opportunities for genetic screening and prenatal diagnosis that may ultimately prevent many cases of epilepsy.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD