By Donna Westfall – November 23, 2017 – Credit to www.epilepsy.com -While today is Thanksgiving and we have much to be grateful for, every year, 1 in 150 people who have uncontrolled seizures dies from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, known as SUDEP. When people with epilepsy and their caregivers are empowered with information to understand SUDEP, they can take action to reduce risk of harm. Reducing the risk means following these four points: Take medication as prescribed Get enough sleep Limit alcohol Strive to stop seizures Some with this disease can control it with medications like: Generic names Acetazolamide Carbamazepine Clobazam Clonazepam Eslicarbazepine acetate Ethosuximide Gabapentin Lacosamide Lamotrigine Levetiracetam Nitrazepam Oxcarbazepine Perampanel Piracetam Phenobarbital Phenytoin Pregabalin Primidone Rufinamide Sodium valproate Stiripentol Tiagabine Topiramate Vigabatrin Zonisamide Brand names (available as): Carbogen modified release Convulex Desitrend Diacomit Diamox SR Emeside Epanutin Epilim Epilim Chrono Epilim Chronosphere Episenta (prolonged release) Epival Frisium Fycompa Gabitril Inovelon Keppra Lamictal Lyrica Neurontin Nootropil Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Rivotril Sabril Tapclob Tegretol Tegretol Prolonged Release Topamax Trileptal Vimpat Zarontin Zebinix Zonegran Some people are lucky enough to remain seizure free by finding the right medication while others struggle with numerous medications which can cause horrible side effects like feeling suicidal or homicidal or paranoid. The most common side effects include dizziness, nausea, headache, vomiting, fatigue, vertigo, ataxia, blurred vision, and tremor. There are natural remedies that have helped in cases of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy – marijuana has been very effective particularly when it is low in THC and high in CBD. Allergic reactions to foods, additives like MSG or even construction dust can cause grand mal seizures. There is still so much we don't know about the human brain. Some people have seizures after exposure to fluoride in the municipal water. Fortunately for those living in Crescent City-Del Norte County, that is no longer a concern as the fluoride was turned off in early 2013.