Sleeping Securely: An Expert Guide to Epilepsy Bed Alarms

Epilepsy, as a life-long condition, affects a significant percentage of our population. Seizures can impact their lives heavily, with care being required in the event of an emergency. Luckily, there are several technologies and devices available that can benefit those with epilepsy, alerting their carers during an attack. Epilepsy bed alarms, for example, are one popular device for helping those with epilepsy sleep restfully, with the confidence that they will be supported in an emergency.

In this article from Frequency Precision Ltd, you can find out more about epilepsy bed mats, including how epilepsy affects those with the condition and how bed mats can be beneficial in care services.

Defining Epilepsy

Before choosing a selection of medical alert devices, it can be beneficial to understand what epilepsy is. Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain, resulting in regular seizures. This is a lifelong condition, however, certain treatments can help make epilepsy easier to live with. Read on to learn about the causes and symptoms of the condition.

Causes

There is no clear reason why epilepsy happens. In some cases, it can be a result of damage to the brain. This could be because of a stroke, brain infection, or a serious head injury, for example. In other cases, genetics may be a cause, with those with family members diagnosed with epilepsy becoming more likely to be diagnosed themselves.

Symptoms

The symptoms of epilepsy vary from person to person, depending on the part of the brain that has been affected. Some seizures are types of fits, whereas a loss of awareness and confusion characterises others. A person with epilepsy can experience a seizure while awake or asleep, so it can be helpful to implement a medical alert device that works during sleep. 

Types of Seizures

As mentioned above, not all seizures look the same. Thankfully, several terms are used to define different types of seizures, helping carers and medical experts understand the necessary treatments and adjustments needed. 

Here are some of the most common types of seizures:

• Simple focal seizures
• Complex focal seizures
• Tonic-clonic seizures
• Absence seizures
• Myoclonic seizures
• Clonic seizures
• Tonic seizures
• Atonic seizures
• Status epilepticus

Status epilepticus is a serious type of seizure, which lasts either a long time or consists of several seizures where consciousness is not regained in between. This is a serious situation, where medical attention will be required, should consciousness not be regained after 5 minutes. Carers can also be trained to cope with these medical emergencies, providing assistance where needed.

Wireless Convulsion Sensor Mats

Convulsions are not typical of all seizures, however, they can be a more serious symptom. To monitor a person with epilepsy carefully while they’re unattended in a bed. Wireless convulsion sensors can be useful for alerting medical professionals and carers when a seizure happens during sleep.

Connected to Nurse Call Systems

For use in hospitals and other medical facilities, wireless convulsion mats are available with nurse call systems. These systems work by notifying the carer directly when there is a seizure, directly through the existing system embedded into the medical facility. As seizures differ for each person with epilepsy, the sensitivity of the mats can also be adjusted. Additionally, mats can be tilted with the bed itself, helping patients get the care they need without disruption to the mat itself. 

Equipped with a Pager

Popular for home care, wireless convulsion mats can also be equipped with a pager. These can be easily used, without disrupting sleep. These are also fitted underneath the mattress, preventing discomfort. The pager will notify the carer, helping the person experiencing a seizure to get help quickly. With the sensitivity being adjusted, ordinary movement during sleep should not disturb the sensor, preventing false alarms.

The Installation of Epilepsy Equipment

As seen above, epilepsy bed alarms come in several different forms. Installing epilepsy equipment into your home or medical facility need not be difficult, however. In this section, you can learn more about installing epilepsy mats for your loved one or patient.

The Mat

Installing bed alarms is very easy, making it easily implemented in healthcare facilities. Most mats can be easily slid under the mattress itself. The wireless nature prevents the need for cords to be attached to the wall, allowing the bed to be regularly moved when needed without worrying about dangerous trip hazards.

The Signalling Device

The pagers that some epilepsy bed alarms are equipped with are easily battery-powered, offering a cordless solution. These batteries can then be easily replaced, helping to keep the alarm available at all times, even throughout the night. Most pagers are powered by ordinary batteries, which are on hand in most households. Nurse call systems, on the other hand, can be plugged directly into the call station, and easily installed. They will then notify the medical professional, helping them to act quickly. 

Choosing the Right Epilepsy Bed Alarm

Before selecting a product, there are some factors and considerations you should take into account. The right epilepsy bed alarm is essential to providing high-quality care, with some medical alert devices being unsuitable for all needs. In this section of the article, find out more about how to select the perfect epilepsy bed alarm. 

Research

When selecting an epilepsy bed alarm, it’s important to understand the size you need. Pressure mats will have different abilities, sensitive to different weights. If you’re looking for a pressure mat appropriate for a small child, it’s vital to select one appropriate for their low weight. On the other hand, for an adult, you’ll need an epilepsy bed alarm that won’t be triggered excessively easily. 

System Pairing

As there are several different types of alert systems available, finding the right form of epilepsy alarm system is key. In some medical facilities, they have a specific type of nurse call system. Make sure any potential wireless convulsion mat can be paired with the inbuilt system. Without checking beforehand, you may pay more for a product that cannot be used with your call technology.

Read Reviews

When shopping for the perfect product, it can be beneficial to read the reviews left for a company. Reviews are a good way to get a sense of the company’s benefits and advantages, for example, whether their customer service is good. Reviews will also tell you more about the products, whether they work effectively and if they are suitable for certain needs.

Our Products

If you’re searching for the right epilepsy mat for your needs, look no further than our products available at Frequency Precision Ltd. Based in Devon, we can deliver any of our products across the world. Read on to learn more about our specific products and why they might be of interest to you. 

Our Epilepsy Bed Alarms

The epilepsy bed alarms sold by Frequency Precision are designed to provide high-quality care, allowing patients to rest comfortably. Withepilepsy mats connected to pagers, medical professionals can continue with other important caregiving tasks, while remaining assured that they will be reliably alerted in the event of an emergency. Similarly, ourmats with nurse call systems provide an easy way for nurses to detect when assistance is needed.

Other Alarm Systems

Often, patients in healthcare facilities or those who are supported by carers can benefit from extra systems. At Frequency Precision Ltd, we have a wide range of products and services that can be particularly useful. Our wireless motion sensors, for example, are effective for patients who need to be monitored when leaving their care space.Wandering alerts can help carers monitor when their patient is attempting to leave, which is particularly beneficial for patients who suffer from confusion.

Get In Touch

At Frequency Precision, we take pride in helping those living with medical conditions get the care and support that they need. We know the value of independence, which is why we designed medical alert devices that are discreet yet effective, without causing discomfort. You can learn more aboutour story on our website.

If you’re interested in shopping with us, please visit our website to view our range of products. Alternatively, pleaseget in touch with us directly for further support and advice.

For more information on Sleeping Securely: An Expert Guide to Epilepsy Bed Alarms talk to Frequency Precision Ltd