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Epilepsy is a condition that affects a person’s brain activity. This can lead to seizures and other serious complications.

Epilepsy is often diagnosed in young children, making it difficult for parents to monitor their children’s seizures at all times.

Healthcare companies have created devices that help parents and those with epilepsy. These devices can track seizures and protect against serious side effects from seizures. While these devices aren’t treatments for epilepsy and don’t prevent seizures, they can provide peace of mind.

Epilepsy can be a serious condition with potentially dangerous ramifications. That’s why we made sure to select products that are safe as possible — items that keep you safe and don’t have any dangerous drawbacks. Many of these devices help you collect and store medical data that you can show your doctor to help guide a treatment plan.

A note from the writer

I also used my experience as a person who lives with epilepsy to look for products with features from which I would truly benefit. I’ve had different types of seizures throughout my life, from infancy up to now.

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Pricing guide

  • $ = under $50
  • $$ = $50 to $200
  • $$$ = over $200

Best bracelets for epilepsy

Divoti Sport ID Medical Alert Bracelet

  • Price: $

Wearing a medical alert bracelet (whether a traditional metal bracelet or soft silicone bracelet) is important for someone with epilepsy. These bracelets allow emergency medical professionals to quickly identify a person with epilepsy and get in touch with emergency contacts.

I make sure to wear a medical alert bracelet any time I leave the house in the event that I am unable to communicate before, during, or after a seizure.

This option from Divoti has a removable engraved medical ID that has personal details and emergency contact information on the front. On the back is a list of medical conditions and other information. You can get your information engraved for free.

Pros

  • The bracelet comes with several color options.
  • It features customizable sizing (trim to fit).
  • There’s a security clasp for extra protection.
  • Some people have attached the bracelet to their smartwatch.

Cons

  • It’s somewhat expensive for what you receive.
  • Some people complain it’s too small for larger wrists.
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Epilepsy Alert Medical Bracelet

  • Price: $

Mediband makes this bracelet from medical-grade silicone. According to the company, this reduces the chance of breaking or losing the item. The bracelet displays the text “ALERT! EPILEPSY.”

Although you can’t customize the bracelet, it’s affordable, comfortable, and durable, and most importantly, easy to access and read if needed.

Pros

  • The easy-to-read text is available in several colors.
  • It’s available in a range of wrist sizes.
  • The material shouldn’t chafe or irritate skin.

Cons

  • The bracelet isn’t customizable.
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Shop now on Mediband

Other options

Some companies, such as American Medical ID, will also engrave a personalized number and website for a healthcare professional. The website has a medical record of the person wearing the bracelet. This allows fast access to medication lists and health information to help a person receive fast medical care.

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Best mattress devices for epilepsy

Emfit Movement Monitor

  • Price: $$$

Mattress devices are placed under a person’s mattress. If they experience a seizure, the shaking will cause vibrations that trigger an alarm. These monitors can provide peace of mind to parents who are concerned their child may have a seizure while sleeping without them knowing.

A good option is the Emfit Movement Monitor from Epi USA. This clinically proven technology is designed for nighttime monitoring and detects abnormal movements a person may make while lying in bed (such as muscle spasms) and alerts a caregiver. The monitor comes with a sensor to go under the mattress along with a bedside monitor.

Pros

  • It’s suitable for both adults and small children.
  • The monitor can interface with most nurse call systems.

Cons

  • It has a high price.
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MP5v2 Bed Movement Monitor for Seizures

  • Price: $$$

This all-in-one monitoring system is a bed alarm complete with a backup battery, an FCC-approved radio transmitter, and a built-in microphone. It can detect movements, such as muscle spasms, unusual twitching, or prolonged shaking. Caretakers will be alerted of any unusual issues via the included radio pager.

Pros

  • The monitor works with any kind of mattress.
  • It’s suitable for infants through senior adults.

Cons

  • Customers complain of remote pairing issues after a few months.
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Best cameras for epilepsy

SAMi-3 Camera

  • Price: $$$

Another option for monitoring a person for seizures is a camera device. These devices use a remote infrared camera to detect movements. If a sleeping person has unusual movements like shaking seizures, the camera will trigger an alarm.

Since I live alone, I do my best to get a video whenever I feel an aura. The videos I’ve captured have proved invaluable when I’m working with my neurologists to tweak my treatment plan.

The SAMi-3 is a camera system that comes with everything you need to record live HD video and audio. The monitor looks for shaking and rhythmic motion as well as nonrhythmic motion that other monitors miss.

Up to four people can monitor a SAMi-3 camera from anywhere in real time. Plus, SAMi-3 automatically records motion during the night and highlights anything you may want to view.

Pros

  • There’s nothing you have to wear or charge.
  • It’s great for travel.
  • The product has a 1-year warranty with easy returns.

Cons

  • It has a high price.
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Shop now on SAMi Alert

Sense-U Baby Breathing Monitor

  • Price: $$

This monitor attaches to your baby’s clothing to monitor their temperature, sleeping position, and breathing. You’ll receive updates via the Sense-U Baby Monitor app, which will notify you if your baby has rolled over onto their stomach or their temperature goes above or below a normal level.

To use this monitor, you’ll need a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network. The baby monitor is eligible for reimbursement through an FSA/HSA savings account.

Pros

  • You can receive audible alarms from your smartphone.
  • You can return the product within 30 days for a full refund.

Cons

  • It doesn’t provide video monitoring.
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Best antisuffocation pillows for epilepsy

Breathe-zy Anti Suffocation Pillow

  • Price: $

Suffocation is a common cause of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). To prevent suffocation, there are antisuffocation pillows available for people with epilepsy, like the Breathe-zy Anti Suffocation Pillow.

Classified as a Class 1 Medical Device (a UK certification), it features a breathable surface so you’ll be safe while asleep. The pillow has a removable, washable open mesh cover in a choice of four colors.

Pros

  • It’s easy for travel.
  • You can return it within 28 days for a full refund.

Cons

  • Some users say the pillow doesn’t last long.
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Sleep-Safe Anti Suffocation Pillow

  • Price: $$

The Sleep-Safe Anti Suffocation Pillow is made with materials sourced from the UK. Designed and developed by a pharmacist, each pillow has a removable, washable micromesh pillowcase.

Any head movement compresses and decompresses the pillow’s core chambers, causing air to flow through the sides and ends of the pillow and around the face. This airflow flushes exhaled breath and carbon dioxide away from the user’s nose and mouth to help prevent suffocation.

Pros

  • This pillow is hypoallergenic.
  • It’s easy to wash.

Cons

  • It’s more expensive than comparable pillows.
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Best watches for epilepsy

SOS Smartwatch

  • Price: $$

Smartwatches for people with epilepsy can detect movements that may indicate a person is having a seizure. These watches can have a variety of features: Some sound an alarm to signal for help, while others send a message to a caretaker with a person’s GPS location.

One example is the SOS Smartwatch, which is advertised as the modern-day alternative to traditional medical alert systems, no smartphone required. If you feel like you’re about to have a seizure or another medical emergency, you press the SOS button and the company’s medical operators will answer. They’ll track your location, notify your emergency contacts, and send 911 services if needed.

Pros

  • The smartwatch doesn’t require a smartphone to use.
  • It’s water-resistant.
  • It has GPS tracking.
  • The battery life is 18 hours, according to the company.

Cons

  • You’ll need to pay an additional $30/month for 24/7 alert system access.
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Shop now on Bay Alarm Medical

SeizAlarm: Seizure Detection

  • Price: free 2-week trial, then $—$$ depending on membership

This iPhone and Apple Watch app detects seizure-like movement or a low or elevated heart rate and automatically notifies your emergency contacts. You can also manually request help by pressing the Watch Help buttons, or even send a time-delayed request if you feel an aura and want to initiate a help request in case it turns into a full-blown seizure.

I regularly have auras that end up passing on their own, so I appreciate this feature. This app even includes a log dashboard where you can export reports to share with your doctor.

Pros

  • It’s great for people who are nonverbal or who become nonverbal during seizures.
  • It includes heart rate monitor and motion sensor.
  • It tracks GPS location.

Cons

  • You must have an Apple Watch to effectively detect motion.
  • It can be glitchy.
  • You must pay to have the ability to request help.
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Download SeizAlarm for iOS
PriceWhat it doesConsiderations
Divoti Sport ID Medical Alert Bracelet$The bracelet provides emergency contact information that’s easy to access in the event of an emergencyIt may be too small for larger wrists.
Epilepsy Alert Medical Bracelet$The bracelet notifies people you have epilepsy.It’s not customizable.
Emfit Movement Monitor$$$The monitor alerts caregivers of abnormal movements during sleep.It’s expensive.
MP5v2 Bed Movement Monitor for Seizures$$$The monitor alerts caregivers of abnormal movements during sleep.Some reviewers found that the remote stopped working after a few months of use.
SAMi–3Camera$$$The camera alerts caregivers of abnormal movements during sleep.It has a high price.
Sense-U Baby Breathing Monitor$$It alerts caregivers of abnormal movements during sleep.There’s no video monitoring.
Breathe-zy Anti Suffocation Pillow$It allows you to breath through the pillow during a seizure.It doesn’t last long.
Sleep-Safe Anti Suffocation Pillow$$It allows you to breath through the pillow during a seizure.It’s more expensive than comparable options.
SOS Smartwatch$$It gets you emergency help during a seizure.There’s a monthly subscription cost
SeizAlarm: Seizure Detection$–$$It connects to the Apple Watch to track seizures.You must have an Apple Watch to effectively detect motion.

Keep in mind there’s no evidence that any seizure detection device can prevent SUDEP. These products are simply designed to help detect seizure-like movement so the person can get the necessary help and gather helpful data for their doctors.

A concern for a person with epilepsy is not only the seizures that are seen, but also those that go undetected. This is especially true for seizures a person may have in their sleep.

The goal of epilepsy treatment is to use medications and other therapies to keep a person seizure-free. However, it’s possible a person could think their epilepsy is controlled, but have seizures at night.

Another concern about seizures is the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). This occurs when a person passes away suddenly after a seizure. Although the exact causes are unknown, changes in breathing (such as something suffocating the person) or heart rhythms can be a factor. By detecting seizures, devices for epilepsy may be able to prevent SUDEP.

What devices help epilepsy?

Seizure alert devices are a helpful tool to manage epilepsy. While they won’t cure your epilepsy or prevent seizures, they will allow you to get the help you need if you unexpectedly have a seizure. Medical alert bracelets, mattress devices, and cameras are examples of good devices for epilepsy.

What is the best seizure alert device?

Some of the best seizure alert devices on the market are the:

These devices will all notify your emergency contact or EMS if you’re having a seizure.

What machines detect seizures?

There are a variety of devices and products that may detect seizures, including:

  • bracelets
  • mattress devices
  • cameras
  • watches
  • apps

They do this by detecting abnormal, seizure-like movement or, in some cases, detecting a higher or lower than usual heart rate.

As technology continues to improve, more devices will likely be available to help people with epilepsy. This technology can inform healthcare professionals and protect those with epilepsy by alerting caregivers whenever possible.

Insurance companies will help to support the costs for these devices in some instances. If you or a loved one has epilepsy, talk with your doctor about devices that could help.