People with epilepsy have long been unsure as to what proactive strategies they can take, aside from taking prescribed antiseizure medications, to help reduce their seizures. For centuries, it was thought that exercise, among many other things, could induce seizures, and as a result, people with epilepsy were told to minimize exercise to avoid causing unwanted seizures. Yet, the seizures continued for those with intractable epilepsy.

More recently doctors are finding that exercise can actually be beneficial in helping to reduce seizures, common comorbitiies, like anxiety and depression, and other common complications of epilepsy.

They have provided concrete evidence that exercise is beneficial in the following ways for people living with epilepsy and seizures:

•   Exercise reduces anxiety and depression

•   Exercise contributes to weight loss, especially when some anti-seizure medications can cause weight gain.

•   Exercise can help maintain bone mineral density in people with epilepsy, which helps people with epilepsy fight back against the anti-seizure medications which often cause osteopenia and osteoporosis in people with epilepsy.

•   Exercise can help reduce the risk from fracturing a bone and falling.

•   Exercise can improve cardiovascular fitness for people with epilepsy, decreasing the chance of cardiovascular disease.

•   Exercise can benefit cognition. People with epilepsy often experience memory issues, and exercise may be a natural way to improve memory and cognitive abilities.

Very little research has been done on exercise and epilepsy. We need more studies to help us improve quality of life for people with epilepsy. But light to moderate exercise is good way to improve your health, and could potentially help to reduce your seizures. Participating in active events like the Cleveland Marathon can help us prove this, and you can earn a medal for your walk or run. Taking proactive steps like remaining hydrated, eating well before you walk or run, and not pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion can help people with epilepsy exercise successfully. 

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Join Empowering Epilepsy's Team in the Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon. Walk or run in the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, or Full Marathon. You can also participate in the Cleveland Marathon’s Challenge Series by choosing one race - 5K or 10K - on Saturday, and one race - Half Marathon or Full Marathon - on Sunday.

Show others what you can do while living with seizures. Create a team where your friends and family join our Empowering Epilepsy Team and/or support your run. Fundraise for Empowering Epilepsy so we can continue to provide proactive programs, events, and services to show people with epilepsy what they can do while living with seizures. To all of our supporters and current team members, thank you!! We can't wait to cheer you on in May! We hope you can join us!

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