Head Injuries are the Number One Preventable Cause of Epilepsy:
Protect The Ones You Love
Wear Seatbelts When Driving and Helmets When Riding

TALLAHASSEE- Florida Department of Health Secretary John O. Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A., encourages everyone in our state to mark National Epilepsy Awareness Month by remembering to "Protect The Ones You Love-Wear Seatbelts When Driving and Helmets When Riding."

"National Epilepsy Awareness Month is a perfect time to learn about epilepsy and its number one preventable cause - head injuries," said Agwunobi. "By simply using seatbelts and child restraining devices while driving, and protective headgear for sports, cycling and skating, countless injuries can be prevented."

Other prevention strategies for epilepsy include:

• Eat a "heart smart" diet and exercise regularly to help prevent stroke;
  
• Keep walkways and stairways clear to prevent falls;
  
• Obtain timely prenatal care from a reputable doctor during pregnancy;
  
• Properly store toxic substances and medications to prevent accidental poisoning;
  
• Avoid alcohol and drug abuse; and
  
• Seek treatment immediately for infectious diseases.
  

Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects approximately one percent of our nation's population. The Epilepsy Foundation estimates that 2.5 million Americans - 145,000 of them here in our state -- currently have epilepsy, with the majority of new cases being diagnosed in seniors and children.

When most people think of seizures, they think of convulsions or generalized tonic clonic seizures. But seizures can have characteristics such as attention lapses that look like daydreaming, staring, wandering, mumbling, unexplained falls, or fumbling. Also, sleepiness, headache, or irritability may follow some seizures. Early detection and treatment of seizures is important to prevent physical and emotional complications.

Educational programs to help parents, teachers, daycare providers and others recognize and respond to seizures are available at no charge. For more information please feel free to contact us.