Epilepsy Talk

Sodium — How Much Does Your Body Need?

November 22, 2019
13 Comments

You may think that sodium is a “bad guy” to be avoided or reduced at all cost, because too much is linked to high blood pressure.

But sodium is actually an essential electrolyte, and a deficiency can trigger seizures.

Seizures from low sodium levels are most likely to occur from a serious disease, acute infection or because you tried to run a marathon on a hot day.

One-time or isolated seizures from these causes don’t warrant a diagnosis of epilepsy.

However, epilepsy is sometimes misdiagnosed and you may have an underlying health condition that’s causing an electrolyte problem.


If You’re Thinking Of Getting Pregnant…

November 3, 2019
3 Comments

Years ago, women who had epilepsy were often discouraged from getting pregnant. Today, that’s no longer the case.

Thanks to early and regular prenatal care, more than 90 percent of pregnant women who have epilepsy deliver healthy babies, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.


Popular TV Dramas Portray First Aid For Seizures Inaccurately…

July 7, 2019
13 Comments

This enlightening (and scary) article came from “Medical News Today”…

“Research from Canada shows that almost half of the time, doctors and nurses on popular TV medical dramas respond inappropriately to seizures, suggesting that watching TV is not the best way to learn what to do if you are present when someone has a seizure.


The Embrace2 – Newly Cleared by the FDA – with New Advantages for You

March 5, 2019
11 Comments

The fear, the anxiety, the anticipation of another seizure.

Coupled with the dread that you won’t be able to tell. When it’s coming. IF it’s coming.

The triggers, the reasons, the causes.

Peace of mind is difficult to come by for — you and for your loved ones.

It’s worry all the time. Every day. Does it always have to be this way?


A Fallen Football Hero…

October 27, 2018
11 Comments

This is a story about life’s hard knocks. Literally.

It’s the story of former NFL Browns running back Jerome Harrison and how his occasional seizures, thought to be a result of concussions from the game, saved his life.


What’s Sweeter than Sugar and Good for You Too?

March 25, 2018
31 Comments

For many, high sugar intake can cause seizures…along with emotional instability…dizziness…depression…food allergies…diabetes…and osteoporosis…to name just a few.

Even worse, aspartame interacts with anti-seizure medication.

And over the years, various reports have implicated aspartame in headaches, memory loss, seizures, vision loss, coma, and cancer.

It also appears to worsen or mimic the symptoms of such conditions as fibromyalgia, MS, lupus, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, chronic fatigue, and depression.

And, after receiving some 10,000 consumer complaints, the FDA compiled a list of 92 symptoms linked to aspartame — including death.

But there are two healthy alternatives…


VNS…Exciting News!

June 20, 2015
36 Comments

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new generator for the VNS Therapy® System.

The new generator, called AspireSR®, offers the ability to provide automatic stimulation in response to increased heart rate, in addition to its other stimulation timing.


Epilepsy and Birth Control

November 23, 2014
1 Comment

Figuring out birth control with epilepsy meds can be a challenge at best.

How will your AEDs affect your birth control? Will your birth control lessen the effectiveness of your meds?


Epilepsy in Twitter Times

June 4, 2012
10 Comments

Twitter is not our friend.

And the misconceptions and stigma of epilepsy live on.

A revealing study published in Epilepsy & Behavior provides evidence that the perception of epilepsy is not faring well in social media. Kate McNeil and colleagues from Dalhousie University in Canada analyzed data collected from Twitter to provide a snapshot of how epilepsy is portrayed within the twitter community…


Why 3D TVs are NOT for me…

April 14, 2011
25 Comments

Here’s the good news and the bad news…

The GOOD: You can buy a 3D TV without using the 3D function.

The BAD: I threw up watching Avatar and I’m not even photosensitive!

I guess you get the message.

Watching 3D can cause other problems in addition to causing seizures. They include: altered vision, lightheadedness, dizziness, eye or muscle twitching, confusion, nausea, loss of awareness, convulsions, cramps and disorientation. (So I’m not such a wuss.)


« Previous PageNext Page »

    About the author

    Phylis Feiner Johnson

    Phylis Feiner Johnson

    I've been a professional copywriter for over 35 years. I also had epilepsy for decades. My mission is advocacy; to increase education, awareness and funding for epilepsy research. Together, we can make a huge difference. If not changing the world, at least helping each other, with wisdom, compassion and sharing.

    View Full Profile →

    To receive Epilepsy Talk articles FREE, simply go to the bottom of the right column, enter your email address and click on "Follow"

    Join 3,105 other subscribers
    Follow Epilepsy Talk on WordPress.com