Living with epilepsy is not easy. This disorder affects the brain, often causing seizures. Another fact is that it can affect people in many different ways. Some might only experience staring spells. More serious seizure disorders can make a person collapse and shake uncontrollably. This makes them unaware of their surroundings.
While there are numerous causes of epilepsy, the most common are stroke, brain tumor, traumatic head injury, and central nervous system infection. In the US, about 1.2% of the total population has active epilepsy. This accounts for about 3.4 million people, according to the 2015 data from the CDC.
One issue that many people struggle with is the social aspect of epilepsy, which is worrying about how your seizure disorder might impact those around you and their perception of you. Further, there’s the worry of staying safe in the event of seizure disorders, whether strangers—unaware of your medical conditions—are around or if you’re completely alone.
But you shouldn’t allow epilepsy to slow you down. You can still live life to the fullest! The simple way to remain safe while living with epilepsy is to wear a medical ID bracelet.
A medical alert bracelet for epilepsy maintains a necessary level of protection. By clearly listing your medical condition for others to see, you can receive essential help in the event you have an epileptic seizure disorder while out in public.
But what makes them so useful, and how do you choose the right medical ID bracelet for you?
The Characteristics of Epilepsy
First off, medical ID bracelets should be worn by anyone with medical conditions; however, they should be essential for people living with epilepsy. The reason for this is the common symptoms of epilepsy, whether minor reactions or full-blown physical seizures. Symptoms include the following:
- Confusion
- Extreme physical jerking
- Spells of staring
- Loss of consciousness
While these symptoms tend to subside after a few minutes, that’s not always the case. In worse situations, epilepsy can evolve to the following levels:
- Seizures lasting more than several minutes
- Multiple sequential seizures
- Unconsciousness or anaphylaxis following a seizure
- Physical injury caused by a seizure disorder
During seizures, which can happen at any point in time, you won’t have time to call for help or contact your loved ones. In fact, it will be quite impossible for you to even relay your medical records and history. The life-threatening situation calls for immediate action. This makes epilepsy difficult to manage.
When you cannot speak, the medical ID bracelet will do the talking and ensure medical professionals are provided with relevant health information for swift treatment.
A seizure disorder brought about by epilepsy can be put under control by taking medication. This means recurrent seizures can be treated successfully. There are numerous ways to prevent seizure disorder if you know the triggers and take the steps to avoid them.
In cases where they are inevitable, immediate help is needed to make sure you remain safe.
Why You Should Wear a Medical Alert Bracelet for Epilepsy
The above symptoms are the exact reason why you should wear medical alert bracelets. If you have an epileptic seizure while in public, people around you might not be aware of your medical conditions. If they happen to call 911, they might not be able to describe to EMTs what you’re currently dealing with.
It will be far easier to receive help if you have that information clearly listed on your wrist. Bystanders and EMTs will be able to see that you have epilepsy and will be able to react accordingly. That level of understanding is imperative to staying safe, allowing you to be treated as needed.
We offer a variety of medical ID bracelets that can protect anyone living with epilepsy. Whether you want a fun color or a traditional bracelet, there are numerous options to choose from. If you already own an Apple Watch, you can purchase an Apple medical ID. This makes wearing your ID seamless—quite literally.
What Should Be Engraved on My Epilepsy Bracelet
Whether you’re purchasing a standard medical alert bracelet or a kid’s bracelet, there are some specifics that should be engraved for your safety. In general, basic engravings for medical ID bracelets should include:
- Your name
- Your primary emergency contact name and number
- Your secondary emergency contact name and number
- Your medical condition
- Any medications you’re on
Besides that, it’s up to you what you’d like to have engraved on your medical ID bracelet. This can include general symptoms seen in your epileptic seizures and treatments that EMTs should avoid when helping you.
And if you want to make your bracelet a little more personal, you can even add a fun fact about yourself. This could make it easier for a child to enjoy wearing their bracelet. Moreover, it’s a simple way to humanize yourself to bystanders. Once you begin receiving attention, bystanders and EMTs can talk to you about what’s engraved on your bracelet.
Hearing about your dog, Mr. Pancakes, might be comforting when you come out of your seizure.
Other Useful Tips For Epilepsy Bracelet Engraving
Epilepsy bracelets come in all forms, sizes, and designs. There are many options for you out there, but knowing what they are can help make the decision-making process easier. For a start, you must choose a bracelet that will suit your daily activities, preferences, and sense of style. The latter is especially important. While you are wearing the epilepsy bracelet for your safety and peace of mind, it won’t hurt to look good in it while doing so.
Here are some things you may want to consider before choosing among epilepsy bracelets:
MATERIAL
Most of the time, epilepsy bracelets are made of silicone, making it one of the most popular materials for medical ID bracelets. It is not surprising. Silicone is not only durable and waterproof; it is also comfortable and often hypoallergenic. They can also be available in stainless steel and precious metals.
FIT
It is critical that your bracelet fits snugly on your wrist, is comfortable, and will not slip off. With this in mind, you might want to opt for one that has an adjustable closure, allowing you to adjust it as needed.
PRICE
Many medical ID bracelets are affordable and offer good value for your money. Still, there are others that offer them as fine jewelry, which can cost you a lot. The trick here is to find one that strikes the right balance between your preferred style and budget.
STYLE
Epilepsy bracelets come in various designs and colors. There are some that are practical but still look great on you. Some are more for casual looks, and others come in high-grade jewelry form. The design can also vary depending on the age range. Children tend to have bright-colored designs that are fun and inviting to wear.
Getting the Perfect Bracelet for Epilepsy
There’s no perfect way to protect yourself when living with epilepsy. Symptoms vary from person to person, but an epileptic attack can strike while out in public, even if you do everything you can to avoid stimuli and reactions.
It’s important that you wear medical alert bracelets to stay safe, wherever you are. Once you find a design that fits your personality, it’s all about having the right information engraved.
With that extra level of protection, you can help protect yourself in the event of an epileptic episode.
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