ComplicationsBy Mayo Clinic staff
Certain activities could be dangerous if you have a seizure while doing them. Activities include:
- Swimming. If you go in water, wear a life preserver and don't go alone.
- Bathing. Bathing also can pose a risk of drowning. Shower instead.
- Driving a car or operating other equipment. Most states have licensing restrictions for driving for people with a history of seizures.
The force of a seizure or falling as a result of a seizure can cause injury. In extreme cases, seizures can be fatal, particularly if medication is not taken consistently or properly.
Types of injuries that can occur with seizures include:
- Joint dislocations
- Head injuries
- Bone fractures
Whether repeated seizures can cause brain damage has been studied extensively, but there's no simple answer. The longer a seizure lasts, the more likely it is to lead to changes in brain function and structure. Repeated brief seizures also can lead to brain changes, sometimes causing a normal brain to become epileptic, a process known as kindling. The seriousness of repeated seizures underscores the need for control with medication.
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