TRAVEL & EPILEPSY
COMMON SENSE A FEW PRECAUTIONS
HAPPY & SAFE JOURNEYS
TRAVEL AND EPILEPSY
• Plan on travelling with a companion as far as possible
• Travel during the cooler months of the year
• Be honest about informing others about your epilepsy
• Take out travel medical insurance
• Take enough medication to last the entire holiday and carry a prescription for the same
• Airlines will at request remind you about medication
• For customs purposes carry medications in clearly marked original containers
• Adjust medication for changes in time zones.
• Preferably stick to the usual time interval as at home
• Sleeping - long journeys and early departure times can disrupt sleep. Ensure 6 hrs sleep per day
• Drinking - Drinking large amounts of fluids or too little fluid in hot climates can provoke seizures. Avoid alcohol.
• Eating - Eat regularly to avoid low blood sugar
• If cycling, wear a helmet
• When walking, stay to the outside edge of the road.
• Avoid walking close to water and always cross the road through a subway or marked crossing
• Avoid travelling upstairs in a bus, stay clear of doors and stay away from the edge of platforms
• Driving - avoid if possible
• Accomodation- Avoid balconies, stairs.
• Check room for sharp objects which might hurt you during a seizure.
• Take usual precautions during bathing and cooking
• Do not bolt bathroom doors on the inside while bathing
• Discos can hold some risk if you have photosensitive epilepsy, when they are best avoided
• Water sports are safe if accompanied by someone who can swim
• Do not stay out for too long in the hot sun
• Seek out the shade often, carry an umbrella or use a cap or hat
• Infections and diarrhoea can alter the levels of antiepileptic medications.
• See a doctor if ill for any reason longer than 24 hours
• Certain drugs can interact with AEDS
• Certain drugs like the 4 aminoquinolone antibiotics, OTC medicines for colds, etc can provoke seizures in people with epilepsy.
• Always inform the attending doctor about your epilepsy
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