Summer Happenings 2016 Weill Cornell Epilepsy Center Epilepsy Across The Lifespan In collaboration with Pace University and the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York, NewYork Presbyterian Weill Cornell and Lower Manhattan presented Epilepsy Across The Lifespan to over 30 attendees. The seminar included topics such as: Pediatric Epilepsy is Not One Thing presented by Dr. Zachary Grispan, Technology Offers New Hope presented by Dr. Steven Karceski, Epilepsy Therapy Advances: Newest Medications for Treating Seizures presented by Dr. Paul Mullin and Women s Health in Epilepsy presented by Dr. Kimberly Pargeon. Videos of the presentations are available on our website www.cornellepilepsy.org Left to right: Dr. Grinspan, Dr. Pargeon, Dr. Karceski and Dr. Mullin
SPORTS AND EPILEPSY Sport is important not only in normal healthy populations, but also in persons with medical illness, physical or mental disabilities. Active participation in sports is beneficial physically and psychologically. The main concern in sports for persons with epilepsy is safety. -Why are people with epilepsy restricted from some sports? Rationale is that the occurrence of an untimely seizure during certain sporting event has the potential for causing substantial injury and bodily harm both to the patient with epilepsy as well as fellow athletes and even spectators. Example: if a person with epilepsy has a generalized convulsion or a complex partial seizure while skydiving: he shall not be able to deploy his parachute and a fatal accident can occur. :a person with epilepsy taking part in an automobile racing event suffers a seizure while making a bend at speeds in excess of 100mph :a person with epilepsy suffers a seizure while taking part in a swimming meet. :a person with epilepsy suffers a seizure while bicycling :a person with epilepsy suffers a seizure while horseback riding :a person with epilepsy suffers a seizure while skiing down a steep hill :even things more mundane such as having a seizure while running on a treadmill, while playing tennis, while jogging outside have the potential to cause bodily harm to the patient and others. -Why are people with epilepsy restricted from some sports? Rationale is that repeated injury to the head (concussions) during some sports could potentially exacerbate seizures. Example: a person with epilepsy who is indulging in contact sports such as boxing, karate, kick-boxing, muay thai boxing, American football, ice-hockey, wrestling, judo. But are these restrictions and fears actually based on scientific evidence or are they unfounded? Which sports are safe and which are not? Could indulgence in some sports make seizures potentially worse Vs. could some sports actually be beneficial for people with epilepsy (physically and psychologically)? Can vigorous physical exercise provoke seizures? -What sports are off limits for people with epilepsy? No sport is completely off limit for a patient with epilepsy. Key though is proper supervision to reduce the potential for injury. There are some sports such as skydiving, automobile racing, swimming in the open seas and horseback riding which should be avoided by patients with epilepsy. Other sports can be enjoyed by patients with epilepsy but one should remember that they all have the potential to result in bodily harm if seizures occur when the patient is not supervised or if he is not wearing protective head and body gear.
Counseling patients Patients with epilepsy should be encouraged to exercise and take part in sports. My personal feeling is that no sport should be off limits to them with the exception of maybe sky-diving, river rafting and boxing. The goal should be exercising and playing sports safely. Walking, running, cycling and yoga are great exercises which can be indulged in with little to no risks. I advise all my patients with epilepsy (especially those with poorly controlled epilepsy) to wear a Medic Alert bracelet or carry a card in their wallet. This is of immense help were a seizure to occur in the field (as for example when a patient is jogging or cycling and is not in the immediate vicinity of his or her home). Low risk recreational sports such as walking or running usually do not need a one is to one supervision if seizures are well controlled by history. Team sports such as volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball are popular sports which carry a low risk of injury. For cycling I advise my patients to wear a helmet and have their bikes fitted with lights and reflectors. I also advise them to keep off from the busy city streets. you do not want to have a seizure at the wrong place and at the wrong time. Swimming is a great way to keep fit and also to meet and make friends. I feel many patients with epilepsy are discouraged from swimming due to an irrational fear of caregivers and physicians of drowning. I advise my patients not to swim alone. Most of the city pools have life guards and a polite request to them to keep a watch out goes a long way in reassuring both the patient and the caregivers. Swimming in the open seas is more risky. I advise my patients to swim close to the beach under the watchful eyes of a life guard. Also having a buddy around helps, preferably someone strong enough to pull the patient out of the water if a seizure was to occur. The option of wearing a life jacket is underutilized. Nitin K Sethi, MD, MBBS, FAAN Assistant Professor of Neurology New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center Left to Right: Marion Clignet Olympic Medal Winning Cyclist, Dai Green Olympic Hurdler Athlete, Chanda Gunn, Ice Hockey goalie for the 2006 US Olympics and Florence Joyner, Track & Field Olympic medal winner
Into The Light Dinner Gala Along with leaders, physicians and colleagues, Weill Cornell Epilepsy celebrated the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York s 50th year of providing services and support to the epilepsy community. All funds raised at this dinner gala went directly towards vocational, educational, advocacy and clinical services that are provided to individuals living with epilepsy and their families. To view more photos or for more information, visit www.efmny.org
Are YOU ready to walk for Epilepsy? Join the Weill Cornell Epilepsy team on September 25, 2016 at the South Street Seaport for the 5th Annual Into the Light Walk for Epilepsy. To register, visit http://www.efmny.org/events We are on Facebook! Follow us for updates on happenings, events and more! www.facebook.com/weillcornellepilepsy @wcmcneurology www.cornellepilepsy.org The Weill Cornell Epilepsy Center Newsletter is published to provide the community with medical news and updates within our center. For more information or additional copies, please contact our outreach coordinator; Genesis Valverde 212-746-2625