Can working night shift cause seizures?

People with epilepsy may need to avoid working night shifts as the significant loss or disruption to sleep can trigger seizures. If you are affected by insomnia or another sleep disorder, ask your doctor for advice because improved sleep could make a difference to seizure control.

Can you work nights with epilepsy?

If someone’s epilepsy is controlled (they don’t have seizures) they are unlikely to need more time off work than other employees. If they still have seizures, the need for time off work might depend on the type of seizures they have and the time they need to recover.

Can I work if I have seizure disorder?

If your epilepsy is controlled, it will not significantly affect your ability to perform physical work. However, it’s obvious that you cannot perform any kind of physical work while having an epileptic seizure.

Are seizures considered a disability?

If you suffer from seizures that impact your ability to work, you may be eligible to get Social Security disability.

How many hours should a person with epilepsy sleep?

People with epilepsy should get adequate sleep – enough to feel refreshed the next day. In general, adults should try for at least 7-8 hours a night. Going to bed late (for example, 3 a.m. instead of 11 p.m.) can be compensated for by sleeping late (10 a.m. instead of 6 a.m.) and thereby avoiding sleep deprivation.

Why do seizures only happen at night?

An epileptic seizure is caused by unusual electrical activity in the brain. This usually causes to muscles of the body to tighten or weaken temporarily. Nocturnal seizures happen when a person is sleeping.

Can I be fired for having a seizure at work?

Can I be fired for having epilepsy? You cannot be fired for having epilepsy. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the employment of a qualified individual with a disability who can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Can I lose my job due to epilepsy?

The Equality Act means that most employers can’t refuse you a job just because you have epilepsy. However, by law they must also ensure the safety of all their employees. To do this, an employer may need to find out more about your epilepsy and how it actually affects you.

Can I lose my job for having epilepsy?

An example could be that your epilepsy is well controlled, or you only ever have sleep seizures. If you don’t tell your employer about your epilepsy and it does affect your ability to do your job safely, your employer may be able to dismiss you.

Should I go to work after having a seizure?

If you usually recover quickly after a seizure, you might be able to get straight back to work. Or you might just need a quiet place to rest, before going back to work. Your seizure action plan should say where you need to rest. If you normally take a long time to recover from a seizure, you might need to go home.

Can I work if I have seizures?

If you have seizures, you may not be able to do jobs that risk your safety or the safety of other people. As with anybody, the type of work you can do depends on your skills, qualifications and experience. It may also depend on how your epilepsy affects you. Could I lose my job?

How can we create a safe work environment for people with epilepsy?

Creating a safe work environment for people with uncontrolled seizures requires co-workers and employers to be adaptable to the safety adjustments needed. Epilepsy-friendly employers and co-workers do exist.

Are epileptic seizures at work recordable?

Injuries resulting from epileptic seizures at work are recordable. NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations.

What jobs are too risky for people with seizures?

Certain jobs, such as a school bus driver or neurosurgeon, are much too risky for people whose seizures are not fully controlled. These jobs place both the person with seizures and others at risk. Some changes in the workplace can be done very easily.