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Epilepsy Blog Relay: Emily’s perspective on the SmartWatch

Screen Shot 2016-03-05 at 22.11.49This post is part of the Epilepsy Blog Relay™ which will run from March 1 through March 31. Follow along and add comments to posts that inspire you!

Here we are, Living Well with Epilepsy’s March 2016 Epilepsy Blog Relay™. I’m so happy to be part of it again this year. So today, 14th March 2016, is my Mothers birthday, so a huge shout out to her for all she has done for me and so many other people. My Mum has been my rock throughout my Epilepsy treatment and my huge journey over the past 11 years. When I was first diagnosed, we didn’t particularly know much about seizures, or treatment for that matter. Over the last 11 years technology has come a long way, and research into Epilepsy and associated Neurological conditions is getting wider and wider.

Most of the patients diagnosed and living with Epilepsy can be successfully treated with antiepileptic medication and no longer experience seizures. However, it is known that approximately 30 % of patients are not satisfied with the medical treatment of epilepsy. Over the last year or two I have been doing more research into Epilepsy treatments, and I find technology fascinating. One device that never ceases to amaze me is the Smart Watch.

SmartWatch

The SmartWatch is a newly designed wrist watch that is worn like any other bracelet, or watch, but in it’s own unique way it will monitor your movement and detect any abnormal patterns in your motions such as those experienced in an epileptic seizure.
If the watch detects any unusual motion it then triggers the smartphone app that accompanies the device, to send SOS alerts out to one or several contacts that you link to it.

In the event of an emergency you can push the button, which is found on the side of the watch, and it’ll send your alerts to the nominated contacts along with your location. This watch not only has 24 hour 7 days a week monitoring, it also alerts you to take your medications and to attend your Medical Appointments. The body is made from stainless steel with a screen that is mineral hardened accompanied by a scratch resistant glass lens with anti-glare coating. The watch is water resistant and it has a battery life between 24-36 hours.

Wearable tech

Wearable technology is a huge thing now, and it is becoming more advanced every day.  If a person wearing one of these devices has a generalised tonic-clonic seizure, the device can detect the motion of the person’s wrist; Not only is this watch useful for Doctors to help log their patients seizures, it can assist in reassuring family members that the person with epilepsy can be left alone, knowing that someone would be called if a major seizure occurred.  I know that when I received my Epilepsy fall alarm from Alert-it, it provided me with confidence and I found a new zest for life. My family felt at ease and we knew that if I did fall and an Epileptic attack did occur, I wouldn’t be in as much danger.

If you or a loved one is interested in looking into Epilepsy monitoring, I highly recommend it. I know it has helped me and my family, and I have spoken to numerous people around the world through my blogging who have also found peace through Epilepsy technology. Remember that there are different types of alarms for different types of seizures. Some are set off when someone falls during a seizure or has a convulsive seizure in bed (You can read my Guardian monitor review here https://livingwellwithepilepsy.com/2015/product-review/guardian-monitor-review-eased-concerns-about-nocturnal-seizures.html). Others can be set off by the person themselves if they feel a seizure coming on.

NEXT UP: Be sure to check out the next post tomorrow at LivingWellWithEpilepsy. For the full schedule of bloggers visit the March Participants gallery.

You can still participate in the Epilepsy Blog Relay Thunderclap to raise epilepsy awareness. And don’t miss your chance to connect with bloggers during our Twitter Chat using the hashtag #LivingWellChat on March 31 at 7PM ET.

 

Follow Emily Lawrence (Nee Donoghue):

Contributing Writer

25 yr old monthly columnist on Living Well with Epilepsy. Full time worker of NHS England. Emily's Perspective is a snapshot of what life is like living with Epilepsy. I was diagnosed with Epilepsy at the age of 10. Based in UK.

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