Epilepsy Prevention: Strategies & Risk Reduction

While not all epilepsy is preventable, addressing modifiable risk factors reduces incidence.

Primary Prevention

• Prenatal/perinatal care – reduce preterm birth, birth asphyxia, neonatal infections.
• Immunization – prevent meningitis, encephalitis (Hib, pneumococcal, MMR).
• Head injury prevention – helmets, seat belts, fall prevention in elderly.
• Stroke prevention – control hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, lipids.
• Neurocysticercosis control – sanitation, pork inspection (endemic areas).

Secondary Prevention (in established epilepsy)

• Medication adherence – #1 factor for seizure control.
• Seizure trigger avoidance – sleep deprivation, alcohol, flashing lights (photosensitive), stress.
• Sleep hygiene – regular schedule, treat apnea.
• Dietary therapies – ketogenic diet (refractory childhood epilepsies), modified Atkins.
• Surgical evaluation – for drug-resistant focal epilepsy.

Safety Measures

• Medical alert ID.
• Avoid unsupervised swimming, heights, operating machinery if seizures uncontrolled.
• Rescue plan (benzodiazepine) for prolonged seizures.