Are Home Medical Alarms Useful for Epilepsy Sufferers?

A Health Care Article Contributed by Ellen Feig

Are Home Medical Alarms Useful for Epilepsy Sufferers?

Home medical alarms may prove useful for those living with epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

How can home medical alarms help those with epilepsy?

People living with epilepsy and other seizure disorders live in fear of the moment when they will have a seizure alone, or perhaps when a seizure can not be controlled after a few moments. It is important to such sufferers to be able to live their lives independently and a home medical alarm system may allow for such independence.

What are some of the home medical alarm systems available?

Various home medical alarm systems for the epileptic patient are now available in Canada including the following: (1) bedtime movement spasm detector with alarm, (2)home vocal sound detector with alarm box, (3) combined bedtime movement and sound detection alarm system and (4) basic home medical alarm system that combines a pendant with a module tied in to the home phone (these are most readily available in the United States.

There are numerous bedtime alarms that monitor cessation of breathing for infants up to three years including apneia alarms connected to a centralized station. Dribbling or vomiting detection alarms can be used in a home bed and are wired to an external relay system that sends an emergency alarm to an unit outside the bedroom. Other alarm systems available include home bed or chair occupancy monitors and wandering alarms that are attached via electrodes to the patient.

What are the different combinations of home medical alarm sensors for epilepsy sufferers?

The most common symptom of epilepsy is a shaking spasm which can now be detected by a home movement sensor located under the mid thigh area. This alarm is then connected to a controller which allows adjustment so to minimize false alarms caused by other types of shaking. Vocal sounds can also be another means of detecting seizures.

Through the use of a sensor and controller vocal sounds are converted to distinct signals which are then adjusted to different levels to insure that false alarms do not occur. The vocal and movement sensor can be interchanged with one controller, or may be used simultaneously , each with their own controller. As a back up alarm a simple to use respiratory monitor may be used to indicate when breathing ceases - this to can be used independently or in conjunction with the other home alarm systems.

A simple baby alarm/monitor may also be used, supplemented with other alarm monitors, to detect the following symptoms:(1) body movement or spasms in bed, (2) vocal sounds, (3) cessation of breathing in bed, (4) drooling or vomiting in bed, (5) urination or heavy perspiration in bed and (6) changes in respiration rate.

The goal of all home medical alarms and/or monitors for use with the epilepsy or seizure patient is to insure that privacy is not violated, that the patient may live on his or her own without safety concern,and that help will arrive should an emergency situation arise.