Lifestyle modifications

NUTRITION

  • Alcohol intake of 3 or more drinks per day increases the risk of seizures, particularly 7-48 hours after intake (1)
  • A ketogenic diet may reduce seizure frequency (2)
  • Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, < 1500mg/day for min 16 weeks, may reduce seizure frequency (3)

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

  • People with epilepsy should avoid certain types of physical activity such as swimming alone, diving, rock climbing, hang gliding and surfing (4)
  • Regular physical activity may prevent seizures in 30-40% of people with epilepsy. In 10% of people with epilepsy intense physical activity may increase the risk of seizures (4)

SLEEP

  • Avoid poor sleep (4)

STRESS

  • Avoid too much stress (4)

SUNLIGHT

  • Flickering light may increase the risk of seizures in a minority (5%) of people with epilepsy (4)

References

1) https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-the-management-of-epilepsy-in-adults

2) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-021-01060-8

3) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1028415X.2021.1959100

4) Norwegian Electronic Medical Handbook: https://legehandboka.no/handboken/kliniske-kapitler/nevrologi/tilstander-og-sykdommer/kramper/epilepsi#terapi-egenbehandling

Resources

EXPLANATION TO EVIDENCE PRESENTATION

Figure: Evidence pyramid

​Evidence based on guidelines and evidence based Clinical Decision Systems is written in BOLD font

​Evidence based on meta analysis or systematic reviews is written in BOLD and CURSIVE font

​Evidence based on randomized controlled trials is written in PLAIN font

​Evidence based on observational / cohort studies is written in CURSIVE font