How to Protect Your Brain

(for people without epilepsy as well as those who have epilepsy).

Epilepsy is not contagious, but you can get epilepsy even if you are not born with it. People who are born with epilepsy usually either have a gene that makes their brain cells more prone to fire out of control, or have unusual brain development.

If you don't have epilepsy from birth, you can get it from brain damage from an accident or stroke (a blocked blood vessel in the brain), or from a tumor in your brain.

You can help protect your brain and reduce your chance of getting epilepsy by:

Wearing your seat belt to prevent brain injury if you are in a car accident (and if you are under 40 pounds, sit in a safety car seat).

Wearing a helmet when you ride your bicycle or skate to protect your head if you fall.

Getting exercise to prevent strokes and keep your muscles strong to prevent falls.

Staying away from non-prescription drugs or too much alcohol. Many drugs like cocaine can make your blood pressure very high and can even cause strokes. Other drugs or too much alcohol can poison your brain.

Eating a low fat diet to keep your blood vessels healthy and prevent strokes when you get older.

If you already have epilepsy you can help yourself by:

Taking your medicine as your doctor recommends. Doctors now think that anti-seizure medicines help protect the brain cells from getting damaged during long seizures.

Take good care of yourself - follow the suggestions for people who don't have epilepsy as well.